Introduction
Professor Emmanuel Iornumbe Kucha (born August 8, 1950) from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Kucha, a professor of Mechanical Engineering is the first Professor of Engineering as well as the first indigene of the host community to serve as the Vice Chancellor of the institution.Youths from the host community had previously been calling for the appointment of an indigene as the Vice Chancellor of the 28-year-old institution.
Background
Professor Kucha obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Michigan Technological University, Michigan, United States.
Professor Kucha has won the "Design of Improved Wood/Agricultural Waste Stove" award as well as "Outstanding Research Project Award" at the Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF 2005) awarded by the National Universities Commission, Abuja, December, 2005. He has written over 20 publications.