By Ikemefuna Ikem
In a gesture that underscores the enduring bond between alumni and their alma mater, the Chemistry Class of 1992 of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has donated more than 30 textbooks to the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry to strengthen its academic resources and support the training of future chemists.
The donation represents more than an addition to the department’s library shelves. It reflects the commitment of former students to giving back to the institution that laid the foundation for their academic achievements, professional careers and personal development.
The textbooks, published by different authors and publishers, cover diverse branches of chemistry, including Analytical, Environmental, Industrial, Nuclear, Organic, Physical and Quantum Chemistry.
The collection is expected to enrich the department’s teaching and learning resources, providing lecturers and students with additional reference materials across key areas of chemical science.
Speaking during the handover, Dr Kenechukwu Ugwu, Secretary of the UNN Chemistry Class of 1992, described the gesture as an expression of the class’s enduring gratitude to the department for its contribution to their academic and professional development.
He said the alumni remained conscious of the role the department played in shaping their careers and considered the donation an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the institution that trained them.
According to him, the class hopes that the books will strengthen the department’s academic resources and improve teaching and learning for the benefit of both lecturers and students.
Ugwu, a Deputy Director at the National Centre for Energy Research and Development and a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, also pledged the class’s continued engagement with the department.
He said the class president, Chief Samuel Okafor, would maintain regular contact with the department to identify areas requiring further support.
The commitment suggests that the donation is not intended as a one-off gesture but as part of a continuing relationship between the alumni and the department.
Receiving the textbooks, the Head of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Prof. Jonnie Asegbeloyin, commended the Class of 1992 for remembering their alma mater and supporting its academic development.
He described the donation as a significant contribution, particularly as the department prepares for its forthcoming accreditation exercise.
The gesture, he noted, would help strengthen the department’s academic resources while demonstrating the value of alumni participation in university development.
Prof. Asegbeloyin also assured the donors that he would formally inform the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, about the donation.
Expressing the department’s appreciation to Chief Okafor and other members of the class, he said their intervention reflected a commendable commitment to sustaining the institution that contributed to their success.
He urged other graduating sets of the department to follow the example of the 1992 class by supporting their alma mater and contributing to its continued growth.
The donation also highlights the important role alumni can play in complementing institutional efforts to improve teaching, learning and research in Nigerian universities.
While universities remain responsible for providing the resources needed to fulfil their academic mandates, contributions from former students can help address specific needs and strengthen the learning environment.
For a department preparing for accreditation, access to relevant textbooks and reference materials is particularly important in supporting academic activities and enriching students’ learning experiences.
The intervention by the Chemistry Class of 1992 therefore serves as a practical demonstration of how alumni networks can contribute to the development of their former departments long after graduation.
Academic staff members who attended the handover included five professors, an associate professor and three senior lecturers.
In their separate remarks, they applauded the alumni for the initiative, expressing gratitude for their thoughtful contribution and commitment to the department’s continued development.
For the Chemistry Class of 1992, the donation represents a meaningful way of acknowledging its academic roots while investing in the education of the next generation.
It is also a reminder that the relationship between a university and its graduates need not end at the point of graduation. Through sustained engagement and practical support, alumni can remain partners in the pursuit of academic excellence.
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