On Thursday 15 November, 2018, the Abdulsalami A. Abubakar College of Engineering of Igbinedion University, Okada, hosted what they hope will be the first of a series of lectures titled: “Industry-Academia Collaboration” in the School’s Library Conference Room that would cement a partnership that the honorable Vice Chancellor, Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, and the establishment had brought to the fore. The partnership ensures that industry and academia work closely together to provide more opportunities for Igbinedion University students that will allow them to compete both locally and internationally and make research emanating from the school and scientists in general more impactful to the common man.
The start of the meeting came not long after the Vice Chancellor had received the Nigerian Society of Engineers earlier on the same day; The same guests were also present at the lecture, and constituted most of the event’s high table, most notably the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Edo State Chapter, Jonathan Ekhodiahie along with other distinguished personalities such as the Lead Speaker of the event Tunde Adebola, CEO of the African Language Technology Initiative, Sunday Ebgiki, Head of the Innovations Committee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Lagos, Engineer Ikenna Oranusih, Maintenance Engineer of the International Breweries in Shagamu, Ogun State, and Meltus Oparaeke, Director of Training at Florson World Industries, makers of PVC pipes and PVC ceilings. IUO Principle Officers were also in attendance, showing their support for this innovative new stride taken by the School: the Bussar, Dr. Nosa Edoigiawerie, the Registrar Dr. Edwin O. Okoro, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mrs Deborah Odejimi, and the Vice Chancellor, who gave a brief speech expressing his excitement about the new venture before declaring the event open.
The students and staff in attendance had the distinct pleasure of listening to the experienced guests, who had extensive knowledge of the application and business aspects of engineering and were well accomplished in the field. Tunde Adebola, the Lead Speaker, led the crowd through the complexities of Broadcast Engineering and explained that industry cannot survive unless academia breathes life into it. The rest of the speakers expanded on the concept of the necessity of the relationship between academia and industry and left behind valuable lessons on a range of topics including how to build a more sustainable university structure, how to be a more competent candidate for engineering jobs, and the importance of health, safety, and maintenance in companies.
The lecture and the partnership that arrived with it proved to be a roaring success and it bodes well for the future of both Igbinedion University and its students.