LAUTECH Alumni Donates Robotics Laboratory Amidst COVID-19 Spike

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Alumni Association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has donated Robotics and Automation Laboratory to the department of Electrical Electronics of the institution.

The old students from the department of Electrical Electronics while presenting the technological equipments to the department said the Robotics and Automatic Laboratory would in no small measure enhance productivity.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of the presentation, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Oluremi Omowaiye said the main objective of the project is to nurture and develop the next-generation professionals in the area of specialisations.

The Commissioner for Works who is an Alumnus of LAUTECH Ogbomoso, said he alongside with his course mates decided to donate the project in order to boost the productivity in the department of Electrical Electronics.

He however, charged university administrators on the need to brace up and improve their capacity, particularly in the area of Innovation and Technology in order to be ready for the challenges of the universities.

Omowaiye who was the pioneer Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in Osun State and Nigeria as a whole pointed out that for administrators to function in the University of the future, there is the need for training and re-training on the technologist that would drive the system in which they work.

He noted that one area in which administrators need training is on how to overcome resistance to change.

According to him, “nobody knew there was going to be COVID-19 pandemic in year 2020, COVID-19 came and everybody results to online meeting. Zoom became the intake. States, Federal Executive Council meet through zoom. A lot of coorperate Organisations, government agencies used zoom and this has helped in reduction of resources.”

Omowaiye however urged the institution management to improve on the school curriculum.

Commending LAUTECH management for excellent performance, Osun state born politician promised to continue to support the institution in its bid to produce best graduates in the country.

“I want to urge the school management to work on the school curriculum. The school has been doing well considering the numbers of the best graduates the institution has produced.

“There is no construction companies in Nigeria that you would not see LAUTECH product. Both science and technology. Coincidentally, I was the first person to be appointed as the commissioner for Science, Innovation and Technology in Osun and across the federation.

“We have professional engineers among us, we have member house of representatives. Even in Osun , apart from me as the present Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon Lekan Badmus who is the commissioner for Registration Integration and Special Duties, and my successor in the ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Olawale Babatunde Olumide . We all graduated from this institution.

“I’m very happy for what we are seeing today. LAUTECH has witnessed unprecedented advancement in staff training and human capital development,” he said.

Omowaiye who enjoined other alumni to emulate the gesture said what they are working towards is to make academic activities easier for the next generations.

While appreciating the old students from the department of Electrical Electronics, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Michael Ologunde said the the donors have challenged department and the faculty on the need to brace up in their productivity.

Prof Ologunde said: “With what you have done, you have challenged the department, you have challenged the faculty. I thank you for what you have done, you may think it it’s a little thing but it’s a big one.

“You came together and tasked yourself to do this project anybody that passes through this lab will definitely acquire knowledge. He said.

He enjoined other alumni association to emulate this good gesture of the donors saying the school management is working on the strategic development Programme to enhance the institution’s productivity.