Nto, ex ASCETA Provost, lauds best Nigerian graduating PhD student in Malays
A former Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA) Dr Philips Nto has lauded a former lecturer in the college, Dr Uchenna Kalu Akpi for emerging the best PhD graduating student in a Malaysian University (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and earning a graduate on time award from the University.
Dr Kalu came tops in PhD, Food Science, at the National University of Malaysia with the approval given by the Senate of the University at its 525th meeting held on December 17th, 2025.
Reacting to the academic feat accomplished within two academic sessions, Dr Philips Nto said he was extremely proud of Dr Kalu’s achievements.
He noted that the approval for Dr Kalu’s movement to Malaysia under Tetfund was given during his tenure as Provost of ASCETA.
” With his brilliant academic laurel, I have been vindicated in recommending him for that programme, and I must say that I am proud of him,” he submitted.
Dr Nto, who is the current Director of Agribusiness Incubation Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, advocated more advanced training for Nigerian academics in the agricultural sector for effective teaching and learning.
According to him, owing to innovation in agriculture technology, the teachers themselves ought to be conversant with modern means of advancement in the sector.
He commended Dr Kalu for flying the flags of Nigeria and Abia State higher and called on other students outside and inside the country to emulate him.
He said the scholar who hails from Ukwuakwu, Ututu in Arochukwu local government area of Abia deserves to be encouraged by the state government to explore and conquer more areas of academic development.