By – Aduwo Ayodele

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has on Friday, 26^th of April, disclosed that the University will soon begin a course in Aeronautics Engineering.

‘All efforts are already put in place to ensure that the course takes off as early as possible’ the Vice-Chancellor disclosed, at the formal opening of the UI-Design Studio at the Faculty of Technology.

Also, stressing the need for a review of General Study courses in Nigerian universities, Professor Adebowale noted that there was a need to introduce new courses that would expose students to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Charging the principal investigators of the Design Studio to ensure continuity of the studio by maintaining the facilities, the Vice-Chancellor has equally challenged the Faculty of Technology to design a prototype of the prepaid electricity meter, which would be used by the University upon its ability to generate electricity without intermediary.

Speaking, the Country Director of NEST 360, the organization which sponsored the project, Dr Opeyemi Odedere, conveyed the organization’s joy to have collaborated with the University of Ibadan, further assuring that the organization would continue to show its commitment to innovative engineering programmes in Africa to build capacity.

“The NEST 360 (Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies) is an international alliance of clinical, technical, and public health experts from 20 leading institutions, governments and organizations including: University of Lagos, University of Lagos, RICE360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, Houston (Principal Partner), Northwestern University,  Chicago  and other institutions in Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya” Dr. Odedere said.

“The multi-million dollar NEST360 grant was awarded in 2018 by a Consortium of funding organisations namely, McArthur Foundation, Lemelson Foundation,  ELMA Philanthropies and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation etc.” Dr. Odedere added.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju commended the improvement in the teaching infrastructure in the Faculty of Technology.

“UI is noted for its thoroughness in teaching the students to enable them to do great exploits in the global space” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said.

Appreciating NEST360 and the French Embassy for the improvement of infrastructure, the Dean of Technology, Professor Bamgboye stated that the Faculty had improved tremendously in the provision of infrastructure to train students in recent times.

The Principal Investigator, Professor Akinwale Coker, said the UI Design Studio was established in 2021 to promote invention education in Nigeria, which provides hands-on, project-based learning to local engineers who in turn can provide prototype technology solutions to local and global challenges.

Professor Akinwale Coker said the studio is focused on building a pipeline of innovators to collaboratively design and commercialize locally-needed technologies through engineering programmes using practical, hands-on invention education.

“The vision of the Studio is to provide a place where students and other stakeholders can bring to reality their dream for technological advancement” Professor Cooker said.

“Design Studios are expected to serve as centres for prototyping, innovations and designs. The NEST360 project is aimed at partnering with African governments, universities, and hospitals to put several measures such as training, and development of innovative technologies that will culminate in the prevention of majority of the deaths associated with newborns in Africa.”

“Through NEST360 a total of six design studios have been established in Africa.  In Nigeria,  we have two design studios in UI and UNILAG, two in Malawi and one each in Ethiopia and Tanzania” Professor Cooker added.