"The new School in Nigeria is now operational and functioning well."

Nigerian engineer Desmond Moru began his Ph. Tecnun with the idea of promoting a School of Engineering in Lagos (Nigeria) and replicating the University of Navarra 's model educational at the end of his stay in San Sebastian. After defending his thesis at the School of Engineering, he returned to his country at the end of August to work as a lecturer in the first class of the School of Science and Technology at Pan-Atlantic University (PAU).

Desmond Moru, has been embarked on this new project for a few months now, and also continues to collaborate with the director of his thesis, Diego Borro, in some academic work. "I hope to return to San Sebastian very soon to do some research, as soon as things stabilize," the Nigerian engineer confides.

"The new school will start in September with 150 students and three engineering courses: mechanical, electrical and computer science," says Desmond Moru. "I am excited that we are promoting a university with the capacity to face international challenges, to train young people in the spirit of teamwork and service. It's exciting that we can train leaders of change in Lagos," he says.

They started the new School of Engineering with three Departments; Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Science. Classes started online in October due to covid-19. However, after the Christmas vacations, students resumed face-to-face classes at campus with all the preventive measures implemented; mandatory use of mask, maintenance of social distance, etc. "Classes and activities are going very well. The students are happy to be at campus, instead of receiving online classes at home", highlights Moru.

Desmond is Senior Associate Professor and acting head of the IT department . financial aid . to director of the School in coordinating all operations and management of the IT department . "The School is operational and running well," the engineer is pleased. The number of faculty needed to run the first year's program has been reached. The board administration has set up several committees to follow up on some of the challenges. "There are still some areas of the school where construction is ongoing. However, these are things geared more toward the aesthetics of the building. Everything has gone according to plan, except for the pandemic which has delayed some things," he argues.

"We have 120 students and about 20 teachers for the first year. However, as we move into next year, we will need to recruit some more. The Professor Emeritus from Tecnun, Justino Fernandez, continues to help the new School and his financial aid is immeasurable," thanks Moru. "We hope he will be back as soon as possible. We are also looking at different possibilities to collaborate with Tecnun, as soon as we get out of the current status pandemic."

One of the challenges facing the new School in the coming years is faculty recruitment. "We need to recruit professors with good quality backgrounds in order to maintain the high-level academic tone that Pan-Atlantic University represents. And this is not easy here, as some of the best professors are fleeing the country in search of "greener pastures." However, we are looking at various options and also at the possibilities of inviting some professors from abroad to teach at the School. Justino is optimistic and very involved in this development", confesses Desmond, who promises to keep sending news from Nigeria as they move forward.