Anthony Iwuoma
The Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has announced the postponement If its planned international workshop. It is believed the postponement was due to the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic.
The event, themed ‘leveraging the Nigerian economy through additive manufacturing (3d printing) and digital imaging technologies’, was slatedfor Monday, March 30, 2020 on the university’s premises.
However, a statement signed by the acting Director of Partnerships, AE-FUNAI,Chris Uwadoka, explained that workshop was postponed “in the light of measures to contain the COVID-19 Pandemic. A new date will be announced in due course.
“The university management has closed all but the most essential of services within its campus, in response to precautionary directives issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Clearly, the safety of presenters, guests, participants and exhibitors for the workshop is best guaranteed by our taking these precautions.
“While we regret any inconvenience this may cause our invitees and partners, we trust that the priority of safety from the ‘invisible enemy’ will continue to be appreciated.
“Please note that the pandemic has unwittingly promoted the strategic benefits of 3D printing.
“Whereas spare and replacement parts of machines for the production of mission-critical products cannot be shipped across nations because of lockdowns in this period, they can be produced locally with the use of additive manufacturing.
“We have no doubt that when the dust of COVID-19 settles and organisations begin to build strategies from lessons learnt, considerable recognition will be given to the certainty and swiftness that Additive Manufacturing offers.
“We look forward to an interesting workshop when the time comes.”
