The Vice Chancellor made this charge while commissioning the UI Design Studio, the Innovation Hub of the Department of Biometrics Engineering, Faculty of Technology, in the University of Ibadan recently.
The UI-Design Studio, is one of the six design studios established in Africa on the NEST360 project. The NEST360 grant was awarded in 2018 by a consortium of funding organisations, including the John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lemelson Foundation, ELMA Philanthropies and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the RICE360 Institute for Global Health Technologies. Houston as Principal Partner.
The NEST360 Project is aimed at partnering with African governments, universities and hospitals to put in several measures such as trainings and innovative development of technologies that will culminate in the prevention of majority of the deaths associated with newborns in Africa. One of such measures is the creation of design studios such as was being commissioned in the University, across Africa.
The Vice Chancellor was excited at the establishment of such a facility that would enable students have hands-on education, particularly in emerging fields like biometrics, stating that this would enrich their education and enhance their passion/capacity for innovation. He expressed the desire for this to be replicated in other fields of study in the University, while also commending the project team for doing a great job.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Principal Investigator on the Project, Prof. Akinwale Coker stated that the UI design studio was established in 2021 to provide Invention Education through hands-on and project-based learning to local engineers who prototype technology solutions to local and global challenges. It has a vision to provide a place where students and other stakeholders can bring to reality, their dream for technological advancement and is equipped with the latest world-class equipment and machines for research and development in engineering.
Speaking further, Professor Coker stated that the UI Design Studio team offers workshops, hands-on trainings to students of the University as well as the general public, so that they can upgrade their skills level. They are also educated on the appropriate use of the gadgets in the studio towards fulfilling the project mandate of encouraging innovations and providing access to emerging technologies.
The Professor of Civil and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ibadan commended current and past management team of the University and the faculty for supporting the project and ensuring its implementation.
Other speakers at the occasion include the University of Ibadan Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Aderonke Bayeroju, the Dean, Faculty of Technology, Prof. A. I. Bamgboye, Heads of Departments in the faculty and a former Dean of the Faculty in whose tenure the project was initiated, Prof. Ayo Oluleye among others.
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