Hensard University Toru Orua, Bayelsa State, has confirmed the appointment of Professor Francis Ibikunle as the new Dean of Student Affairs and Chairman of the Students Disciplinary Committee.
The appointment, approved by the Chancellor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson is effective immediately.
Prof. Ibikunle, Dean College of Engineering, brings a wealth of experience to the role, boasting over four decades in both the engineering industry and academia.
He is a Professor of Electrical/Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering, with a distinguished career spanning research, teaching, and practical application.
Prior to dedicating his career to higher education, Professor Ibikunle spent nearly two decades working at NITEL/MTel, providing him with a strong foundation in the real-world challenges facing the field.
His research interests are cutting-edge, focusing on areas like Mobile & Wireless Communications Networks, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and sustainable Energy sources and efficiency.
A highly respected figure within the academic community, Prof. Ibikunle has a proven track record of mentorship, having supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students and served as an examiner for countless theses and dissertations.
He is also frequently called upon as an external assessor for academics seeking promotion to Reader and Professorial positions.
Professor Ibikunle is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and the Nigerian Institution of Professional Engineers (FNIPE), and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM).
He is a prolific publisher with contributions to numerous journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings, and actively contributes to the peer-review process as an associate editor and board member for international publications.
Furthermore, Professor Ibikunle has played a vital role in maintaining academic standards across Nigeria, serving on resource verification and accreditation panels for the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) at universities nationwide.
The University anticipates that Professor Ibikunle’s extensive experience and dedication will be invaluable in fostering a positive and productive environment for all students.
