MAIDJAD Volume 8

Foreword

Once again, Maiduguri Journal of Arts and Design is presenting a volume of researched and peer reviewed articles: Volume VII/October/November, 2023. Maidjad wishes to than Professor M. P. Mamza of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who is currently on sabbatical in the Department of Fine Arts here in Maiduguri.

Professor Mamza brings his knowledge, experience and expertise far beyond the pages of this journal. He has followed it up with a Lead Paper on the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Art Teaching in Higher Education, a topical issue in academic society and industry.  The editorial board is thankful for its contributors. This volume contains more than 20 articles in various areas of the arts, design and human endeavours. They are diverse and address traditional scholarly concerns, cutting edge knowledge in engaging fields, the insight of practicing artists, innovations and novelties, assessments and appraisals of career concerns, gender issues, methodologies, studio practice, as well as professional prospects and constraints.

Most of the papers are joint efforts. They seem to buttress the wisdom in cooperation. Studio practice and field surveys bring new knowledge and insight, and show a vibrant community of seasoned scholars as well as younger colleagues, who have submitted carefully written papers. Maidjad continues to welcome diversity, openness, new learnings, innovation across cultures, nations, races, continents and creeds.

We are optimistic that given the right environment, our achievements can be consolidated, sustained and expanded. Our new readers are warmly welcome as well as our old friends and scholars beyond boarders. This two-way process should elicit fraternal response and feedback in order to continue to push the boundaries of learning and knowledge sharing.

I wish to thank the editorial board for giving me the opportunity to write this forward, which is but a forward of welcome, since the articles are right ahead of us.

Ashiedu Peter Ogboli

Professor of Industrial Design

Department of Industrial Design,

Faculty of Environmental Studies,

University of Maiduguri

20^th December, 2023