Hi, I’m
Edwin Ekwue
Arima, Trinidad, West Indies.,Tunapuna/Piarco
Summary
Respected academic with history of facilitating student learning. Adapts to students' needs to deliver top-quality lectures and seminars. Leads and supervises in-depth research projects on Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering. Has over twenty years of administrative experience going up to the Dean's Level.
Overview
36
years of professional experience
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
UWISt. Augustine, Tunapuna/Piarco
Teaching Duties as Lecturer Up to Professor
01.1992 - Current
Job overview
· Used PowerPoint and other Classroom Support Materrials and Technology to give presentations to students for their effective learning.
· Arranged syllabus, developed schedule, and determined reading list for varied courses.
· Prepared and delivered multidisciplinary lectures to undergraduate and graduate students on preliminary courses of Statics and Strength of Materials in Mechanical Engineering Programme and advanced courses of Soil and Water Engineering, Engineering Infrastructure and Drainage and Irrigation under the Biosystems Engineering Programme to help students prepare for their career in the Engineering discipline.
· Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
· Created and designed quizzes, tests, projects and examination question papers to assess student knowledge.
· Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
· Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
· Used Software like CropWat and IRSIS on regular basis and taught students how to use each to complete important career-related tasks.
· Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
· Supervised and evaluated 167 Individual BSc Student Projects, 1 Master of Philosophy, 7 MSc and 3 PhD Thesis. Also examined 17 MSc Projects and PhD Thesis.
UWISt. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
08.2018 - 09.2023
Job overview
- Supervised the development of programme structures and courses in the Faculty in line with the requirements of the accreditors from the Institutions of the Engineering Council of the UK.
- Implemented initiatives to drive curriculum quality and target learning outcomes.
· Supervised admissions programmes, student recruitment and retention.
· Chaired all major Faculty meetings including the Faculty Board and Faculty Board of Examiners to ensure that the Faculty operated smoothly.
· Provided effective representation of the Faculty at the Campus and the University levels and communicated effectively with University administrators and Campus officials.
· Supervised the recruitment and hiring of academic faculty, administrative, technical, secretarial and service staff.
· Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
· Worked as the budget control officer at a time of dwindling budgets while maintaining the standard and integrity of the Faculty’s operations.
· Piloted the Faculty through the COVID-19 Pandemic where remote teaching and work were instituted in an emergency mode.
· As Chair of the Faculty Appointments and Promotion Committee, ensured that the promotion document was updated to incorporate an aggregate score for each member of staff and also to encourage refereed publications.
· Instituted a mentorship programme in the Faculty and was an effective advocate for academic and other staff which ensured that five Professors and six Senior Lecturers were promoted during my tenure as Dean. Five other Professorial candidates were at the final stage of evaluation.
· Quadrupled the admission into our Pre-Engineering Programme by introducing a change in the admission policy that allowed high-school graduates to be admitted along with advanced level graduates.
· Introduced the part-time programmes into the BSc. Engineering Curriculum which will increase the number of applicants.
· Advanced discussions towards the introduction of a four-year engineering degree programmes aimed at providing sufficient educational base for professional recognition.
· Carried my full teaching load of four courses as well as published a total of eighteen (13 Journals and 5 Conference) papers as Dean.
· As Dean and Chair, Committee of Deans served in more than twenty (20) Campus and University Committees including the University Appointments Committee, University Board of Graduate Studies and Research, University Senate, Campus Appointments Committee; Campus Procurement Committee and the Campus Executive Management Team.
· As Chair of the Committee of Deans acted for the Deputy Principal thrice: (August 22 to September 2, 2022; May 15 to 18, 2023, and July 25 to 30, 2023).
· As Chair of the Committee of Deans acted for the Campus Principal once: (January 3 to 9, 2023)
UWISt. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Resident Manager, Freedom Hall
03.2020 - 07.2022
Job overview
· Managed all staff of the Hall and ensured that they were well motivated.
· Oversaw property maintenance working with various tradesmen to complete repairs.
· Engaged in promotional activities to encourage students’ enrolment in the Hall.
· Managed activities in the Hall to achieve high satisfaction rates of students.
· Obtained and maintained financial records of the Hall, cutting down expenses to ensure that the Hall was financially viable.
· Dealt with issues of discipline and maintenance of law and order in the Hall.
UWI, Trinidad and Tobago
Deputy Dean (Research and PG Student Matters)
08.2015 - 07.2018
Job overview
· Developed the idea of holding regular examination meetings to ensure that PG students graduated on time.
· Organised regular seminars to ensure that PG students presented their seminars on time.
· Acted as a liaision between the departments and the School of Post-graduate Studies and Research in terms of the operations of the postgraduate programmes.
· Ensured that the general problems of the PG students were adequately dealt with.
· Supervised the admission of PG students into the Faculty.
· Chaired the Postgraduate meetings in the Faculty and ensured adequate representation of the Faculty at Campus PG Board meetings.
· Developed research clusters for academic members in the Faculty.
· Acted for the Faculty Dean during the Long Vacations.
UWISt. Augustine, Tunapuna/Piarco
Head, Dept of Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng.
08.2009 - 07.2015
Job overview
· Achieved the full five-year accreditation of the Department by the Institution of the Mechanical Engineers of the UK by leading the revising of the curriculum, ensuring that adequate staff were recruited and maintained as well providing adequate facilities in the department.
· Hired and allocated duties to maintain the academic, administrative, technical and service staff in the department.
· Maintained the dwindling budget of the department to ensure that we operated within the limits.
· Provided adequate representation of the Department at the Faculty and Campus levels.
· Ensured that the department’s curriculum was alligned to Industry by employing development engineers as well as instituting the visit of students to industry every semester.
· Chaired all major meetings in the department indluding the departmental board and board of examiners.
· Developed research clusters for staff which increased the researh output of staff and ensured that the department won the Best Research Award in 2012 and 2014.
· Led the department in establishing a new departmental research and development outreach called Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Enterprise Research Collaborate (MMERC) that has developed farm processing and other equipment and engaged in meaningful research.
· Introduced a New Quality Manual for the Department. This includes the formation of major Departmental committees and the appointment of programme coordinators in the Department.
· Carried my full teaching load of four courses and published a total of twenty-one (21) journal papers as Head of Department.
UWISt. Augustine, Tunapuna/Piarco
Manager of Engineering Institute
07.2005 - 07.2009
Job overview
· Ensured that Engineering Institute operated at a surplus by ensuring that adequate continuing education courses and projects were carried out.
· As Chair of the Continuing Education Committee developed new courses like the Structural Engineering for Non-Structural Engineers, Finance for Non-Financial Managers and Negotiation Skills for Engineers which doubled the number of attendees of such courses.
· Ensured that the workers in the Institute maintained its major role of being an Outreach arm of the Faculty of Engineering and promoted a closer University/Industry personnel interchange.
· Ensured accountability at the Institute and provided regular reports to the Dean and the Faculty Board.
· Cordinated and developed the income generation capacity of the Faculty.
UWISt. Augustine, Tunapuna/Piarco
Deputy Dean (Undergraduate Student Affairs)
01.2003 - 09.2003
Job overview
· Developed and maintained the policies governing the operations of UG programmes in the Faculty.
· Chaired the Entrance Committee of the Faculty and ensured that only qualified candidates were admitted to the Faculty. Unqualified candidates were advised on how to proceed with their academic pursuits.
· Ensured that adequate registration procedures were engaged by the departments.
· Provided adequate representation of the Faculty at the Campus Meetings including the Campus Examinations Committee.
· Was Chair of the Faculty Examinations Committee and ensured that remedial measures were provided for courses that had high failure rates.
· Supervised and ensured the smooth running of the Summer School of the Faculty.
University of Maiduguri, NigeriaMaiduguri, Nigeria, Borno State
Teaching Duties from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer
01.1988 - 12.1991
Job overview
· Arranged syllabus, developed schedule, and determined reading list for varied courses.
· Prepared and delivered lectures to undergraduate students on preliminary courses like Basic Farm Structures, Basic Hydrology, and Basic Irrigation and Drainage under the General Agriculture Programme and BSc amd MSc courses of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Design of Irrigation Structures, Farm Structures and Environment, Farm Structures Design, Engineering Hydrology and Soil and Water Conservation to Agricultural Engineering students to help them prepare for career in Engineering discipline.
· Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
· Created and designed tests, projects and examination questions to assess student knowledge.
· Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
· Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
· Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
· Supervised and evaluated six (6) Individual Final Year Student Projects and examned three (3) MSc Projects.
Education
Silsoe College, Cranfield UniversityCranfield, England
Doctor of Philosophy from Agricultural Engineering
01.1985 - 12.1987
Silsoe College, Cranfield UniversityCranfield, England
Master of Science from Agricultural Engineering
09.1983 - 09.1984
University of Nigeria, NsukkaNsukka, Nigeria
Bachelor of Engineering from Agricultural Engineering
09.1976 - 06.1981
Skills
Journal Paper Writing, Engineering Education, Engineering Management, Industrial/Engineering Management, Customer Service, Conflict Management and Resolution, Soil Density Testing – Soil Compaction, and Water Resource Management including Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Languages
English, Igbo
Advanced
Accomplishments
· Participated in conferences and professional development opportunities to stay up to-date with latest trends in the field of Biosystems Engineering and related fields.
· Conducted individual research projects to actively contribute to institution's research work.
· My main contribution to knowledge has been increasing the understanding of the influence of organic and other amendments on soil erosion, strength, cultivation, compaction, thermal properties, and compression. I have also made inroads into my wider area of specialty (Soil and Water) by conducting research and publishing in the areas of Water Resources, Hydrology, and Irrigation.
· I have conducted research and published journal papers in structures and environment, which is my subsidiary area of specialization.
· I have also published papers dealing with the development and design of simple devices and equipment for use in agricultural technology.
· Published a total of 125 Publications made up of 78 Papers published in Regional and International Journals, 2 book Chapters and 45 Conference and other Publications. The recent journal publications (2010 to Present) are given below.
· Birch, R and Ekwue, E.I. (2022). Modeling the viscoelastic behaviour of the St. Julian mango. The International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR) Journal, 24 (4): 119 – 130.
· Davies, G., and Ekwue, E.I. (2022). Hydrus-1D Simulation of Two-Stage Cross-Flow Pre-Filtration of Turbid River Water. Water Supply Journal (UK): 22 (2): 1244 – 1254.
· Mohamed, S., Ekwue, E.I., Bharat, C., and Birch, R. (2020). A compact urban aquaponics irrigation system for the Caribbean region The Journal of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, 48 (1), 31 – 38.
· Leonard, Lynessa; E.I. Ekwue; A. Taylor and R. Birch (2019). Evaluation of a machine to determine maximum bulk density of soils using the vibratory method. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 178: 109 – 117. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Suraj, M.; Ekwue, E.I. and Birch, R. (2018). A controlled environment agriculture greenhouse for the Caribbean region. West Indian Journal of Engineering, 40 (2): 10 – 16.
· Ekwue, E.I., Constantine, R C and Birch, R. (2015). Simulation of irrigation water requirements of some crops in Trinidad using the CROPWAT irrigation software. West Indian Journal of Engineering, 37 (2): 31 – 36.
· Ekwue, E.I. and Seepersad, D. (2015). Effect of Soil type, peat, compaction effort and their interactions on soil strength and splash detachment rates during simulated rainfall. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 136: 140 – 148. Impact Factor 2.983.
· Deoraj, S., Ekwue, E.I. and Birch, R (2015). An evaporative cooler for the storage of fresh fruits and vegetables. West Indian Journal of Engineering, 38 (1): 86 – 95.
· Ekwue, E.I., R. Birch, N.R. Chadee (2014). A comparison of four Instruments for measuring the effects of organic matter on the strength of compacted agricultural soils. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 127: 176 – 188. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ali, E.I. Ekwue, J. Bridge, R. Birch (2013). A three-stack mechanical sieve shaker for determining aggregate size distribution of soils. West Indian Journal of Engineering, 35 (2): 36- 44.
· Ekwue, E.I., V. Dhanraj and R. Birch (2013). A simple portable potable water treatment plant in rural areas. The Journal of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago 41 (1): 29 – 34.
· Wuddivira, M.N., Stone, R.J. and Ekwue, E.I. (2013). Influence of cohesive and disruptive forces on strength and erodibility of tropical soils. Soil and Tillage Research, Netherlands 133: 40 – 48. Impact Factor: 4.675.
· Ekwue, E.I. and Bartholomew, J. 2011. Electrical conductivity of some soils in Trinidad as affected by density, water and peat content. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 108, 95 – 103. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ekwue, E.I., R. Birch and S. Bethel 2011. Effect of Soiltac on wash erosion by overland flow of some Trinidadian soils. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 108, 87 – 94. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ekwue, E.I. and Harrilal, A. 2010. Effect of soil type, peat, slope, compaction effort and their interactions on infiltration, runoff and raindrop erosion of some Trinidadian soils. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 105, 112 – 118. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Wuddivira, M.N., Ekwue, E.I. and Stone, R.J. 2010. Modelling slaking sensitivity to assess degradation potential of humid tropic soils under intense rainfall. Land Degradation and Development Journal, UK, 21: 61-73. Impact Factor: 4.340.
· Ekwue, E.I. 2010. Management of water demand in the Caribbean region: Current practices and future needs. West Indian Journal of Engineering 32, Nos. 1/2, 28 – 35.
· Wuddivira, M.N., R.J. Stone and E.I. Ekwue 2009. Clay, organic matter and wetting effects on splash detachment and aggregate breakdown under intense rainfall. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 73 (1): 226 - 232. Impact Factor: 0.55.
· Ekwue, E.I., C. Bharat and K. Samaroo 2009. The effect of soil type, peat and farmyard manure addition, slope and their interactions on wash erosion by overland flow of Trinidadian soils. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 102, 236 – 243. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Wuddivira, M.N., R.J. Stone and E.I. Ekwue 2009. Structural stability of humid tropical soils as influenced by manure incorporation and incubation duration. Soil Science Society of America, 73 (4): 1353 – 1360. Impact Factor: 0.55.
· Ekwue, E.I., R.J. Stone, & D. Bhagwat 2006. Thermal conductivity of some compacted Trinidadian soils as affected by peat content. Biosystems Engineering, UK, 94 (3): 461 –469. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ekwue, E.I., R.J. Stone, V.V. Maharaj & D. Bhagwat 2005. Thermal conductivity and diffusivity of four Trinidadian soils as affected by peat content. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 48 (5): 1803 – 1815. Impact Factor: 1.153.
· Ekwue, E.I., R.J. Stone & S. Ramphalie 2002. Engineering properties of wetland soils in Trinidad. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 18 (1): 37 – 45. Impact Factor: 0.497.
· Ekwue, E.I. & R.J. Stone 1997. Density-moisture relations of some Trinidadian soils incorporated with sewage sludge. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 40: 317 - 323. Impact Factor: 1.153.
· Stone, R.J. & E.I. Ekwue 1996. Soil compressibility as affected by the sewage sludge incorporation. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (UK), 64 (3): 227 - 236. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ekwue, E.I. & R.J. Stone 1995. Organic matter effects on the strength properties of compacted agricultural soils. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 38 (2): 357 - 365. Impact Factor: 1.153.
· Ekwue, E.I. & R.J. Stone 1995. Irrigation scheduling for sweet maize relative to soil compaction conditions. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (UK), 62 (2): 85 – 9. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Stone, R.J. & E.I. Ekwue 1995. Compressibility of some Trinidadian soils as affected by the incorporation of peat. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (UK) 60 (1): 15 - 24. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ekwue, E.I. & R.J. Stone 1994. Effect of peat on the compactibility of some Trinidadian soils. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (UK) 57 (2): 129 - 136. Impact Factor: 2.983.
· Ohu, J.O., E.I. Ekwue & O.A. Folorunso 1994. The effect of addition of organic matter on the compaction of a vertisol from Northern Nigeria. Soil Technology (Netherlands) 7(2): 155 - 162.
· Ekwue, E.I., J.O. Ohu & I.W. Wakawa 1993. Effects of incorporating two organic materials at varying levels on splash detachment of some soils. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (UK) 18 (5), 399 - 406. Impact Factor: 3.598.
· Stone, R.J. & E.I. Ekwue 1993. Maximum bulk density achieved during soil compaction as affected by the incorporation of three organic materials. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 36 (6): 1713 - 1719. Impact Factor: 0.58.
· Ohu, J.O., O.A. Folorunso & E.I. Ekwue 1993. Vehicular traffic effect on physical properties of sandy loam soil profiles in a semi-arid region of Nigeria. Soil & Tillage Research (Netherlands) 28 (1), 27 - 35. Impact Factor: 4.675.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1992. Effect of organic and fertilizer treatments on soil physical properties and erodibility. Soil & Tillage Research (Netherlands) 22 (3- 4): 199 - 209. Impact Factor: 4.675.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1992. Quantification of the effect of peat on soil detachment by rainfall. Soil & Tillage Research (Netherlands) 23 (1- 2): 141 - 151. Impact Factor: 4.675.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1991. The effect of peat content, rainfall duration and aggregate size on soil crust strength. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (UK) 16 (6): 485 - 498. Impact Factor: 3.598.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1991. The effect of soil organic matter content, rainfall duration and aggregate size on soil detachment. Soil Technology (Germany) 4 (3): 197 - 207.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1990. Effect of organic matter on splash detachment and the processes involved. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (UK) 15 (2): 175 - 181. Impact Factor: 3.598.
· Ekwue, E.I. 1990. Organic matter effect on soil strength properties. Soil & Tillage Research (Netherlands) 16 (3): 289- 297. Impact Factor: 4.675.
· Ekwue, E.I. & J.O. Ohu 1990. A model equation to describe soil detachment by rainfall. Soil & Tillage Research (Netherlands) 16 (3) 299 - 306. Impact Factor: 4.675.
Affiliations
· To retain the Professional Touch in Engineering, became a Member Engineer, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (1993 till date), Fellow, Institution of Agricultural Engineers, U.K. (2021 till date) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) of the Engineering Council, U.K. (2022 till date).
· Involved in several consultancy and professional activities.
· Excellence of Education Award from the Society of Maintenance and Reliability Practitioners, Trinidad Chapter in 2018.
· Awarded the Prestigious UWI/Guardian Life of the Caribbean Premium Teaching Award in September 2006.
· Special Awards by the Nigerian Community in recognition of the great contribution made to the growth of the Nigerian Community in Trinidad and Tobago in 2005 and 2014.
· Attended 42 Continuing and General Education Courses.
· Professional visits to Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States, Spain, Barbados, Indonesia, Belize, Panama, Guyana, Canada, Finland, Antigua, St. Lucia, Belgium and Jamaica.
Timeline
Resident Manager, Freedom Hall
UWI
03.2020 - 07.2022
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
UWI
08.2018 - 09.2023
Deputy Dean (Research and PG Student Matters)
UWI
08.2015 - 07.2018
Head, Dept of Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng.
UWI
08.2009 - 07.2015
Manager of Engineering Institute
UWI
07.2005 - 07.2009
Deputy Dean (Undergraduate Student Affairs)
UWI
01.2003 - 09.2003
Teaching Duties as Lecturer Up to Professor
UWI
01.1992 - Current
Teaching Duties from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer
University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
01.1988 - 12.1991
Silsoe College, Cranfield University
Doctor of Philosophy from Agricultural Engineering
01.1985 - 12.1987
Silsoe College, Cranfield University
Master of Science from Agricultural Engineering
09.1983 - 09.1984
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Bachelor of Engineering from Agricultural Engineering
09.1976 - 06.1981
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