Collins Norbert Ugochukwu (2008)
Title of the dissertation
Sustainable Environmental Management in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Effects of Hydrocarbon Pollution on Local Economy
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen Ertel, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Michael Schmidt
Short Bio
Dr. Collins Norbert Ugochukwu is the Coordinator, Research & Innovation with the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Canada. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biochemistry from the University of Calabar; M.Sc. in Toxicology from the University of Port Harcourt; M.Eng in Environmental Engineering also from the University of Port Harcourt; and PhD in Environmental Resources Management from Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, Germany with the prestigious DAAD scholarship.
Dr. Ugochukwu was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. He was instrumental to the signing of an MOU between BTU Cottbus and the Federal University of Technology Owerri in 2006 for a linkage programme by the President of BTU Cottbus and the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
Dr. Ugochukwu has certificate in Management from Harvard Business School, USA; certificates in Leadership Development, and Management Development Program from the University of Alberta, Canada. His professional career spans over 18 years in environmental management and strategic policy development with public and multinational institutions.
Dr. Collins Ugochukwu is a consummate expert in public policy; environmental impact assessment (EIA); environmental site assessment; remediation and reclamation; natural resource management; environmental regulatory programs; and project management.
He is a member of many international and local professional organizations including: Alberta Society of Professional Biologist (ASPB), Canada; Canadian Environmental Professional (ECO Canada); American Water Works Association (AWWA), USA; International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA),USA; and Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Nigeria.
Dr. Ugochukwu is widely travelled and had attended and presented papers at various international conferences and workshops across the globe.
Selected publications
Ugochukwu, C.N.C., Ebong, P.E. and Eyong, E.U. (2008): Biochemical Implication of Long Term Administration of Halofantrine Hydrochloride (Halfan) on Estradiol Levels of Female Wistar Rats. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition,7 (2): 227-230.
Ugochukwu, C.N.C. and Nukpezah, D. (2008): Ecotechnological methods as strategies to reduce eutrophication and acidification in lakes. TheEnvironmentalist, 28: 137-142
Ugochukwu C.N.C. and Ertel J. (2008): Negative Impacts of oil Exploration on biodiversity management in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Journalof International Association for Impact Assessment, 26(2), pages 139-147
Ugochukwu C. N.C., Ertel Jürgen and Michael Schmidt (2008): Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Development issues in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Forum der Forschung 21/2008: BTU Cottbus, Eigenverlag, ISSN-Nr.: 0947 - 6989.
Ugochukwu C.N.C., Ertel Jürgen (2008): Negative impacts of eutrophication on biodiversity. Forum der Forschung 22/2008: BTU Cottbus, Eigenverlag, ISSN-Nr.: 0956 - 6991.
Ugochukwu, C.N.C. and Leton, T.G. (2004): Effluent monitoring of an Oil Servicing Company and its Impact on the Environment. African Journal of Environmental Assessment & Mgt. – Vol 8 page 27-30.
What will you remember most of your time at BTU Cottbus and in the PhD Programme ERM?
The BTU Cottbus was truly an international University which had students from all over the world studying different courses there, I hope it is still same. I love the Cottbus Open festival which was an annual festival that brought students from different cultures together to come and display their cultures through attires, dances, food etc. I hope this festival is still going on. During my time at BTU Cottbus as a PhD student in the ERM Programme, I witnessed the opening of the University Library – which was the biggest in Germany at that time. I also remember the retreat that Prof. Michael Schmidt organized outside Cottbus for all PhD students, and he would invite expert speakers from different professional areas to come and speak. That retreat was very enriching and encouraged networking among the students and Professors in the ERM Programme. During my student days at BTU Cottbus, I really love the City of Cottbus because of its beauty and cost of living was cheap and affordable for students.
What advice to you have for prospective PhD candidates at BTU Cottbus?
My advice to prospective PhD candidates would be to look forward to studying at an international University where they will meet other students from other cultures, and learn from each other as well. They would also experience the hospitality of the beautiful City of Cottbus and its environs. The ERM Programme at BTU Cottbus is a world class programme and is widely accepted around the world.