The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was able to attract up to N5 billion in research in the past one year, a don in the University has said.
An associate professor of the University, Diran Akinleye stated this while addressing journalists ahead of the institution’s 14th Annual Research Conference and Fair coming up between 21st and 23 August, 2019.
Dr Akinleye who is the chairman of the Abstract Sub-Committee for the conference said the grants, which came from mostly foreign sources have boosted the institution’s international ranking to first in Nigeria and 12th in Africa.
“In the last one year, the University has attracted about N5 billion in external research funding. This is why, among other reasons, at the moment the University of Lagos is ranked the best in Nigeria and 12th best in Africa according to Times Higher Education ranking.
“Activities like the research fairs are organised to position the University among the top three in Africa in the next three years,” said Akinleye, an associate professor.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Abayomi Okanlawon, said Dr Dere Awosika, an independent non-Executive Director in Access Bank and Chairman, Chams PLC, would deliver the keynote address on the theme: “Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities for the 21st Century Research and Development” at the conference while former Group Executive Director, NNPC and now Executive Partner, Africa Capital Alliance, Mr Afolabi Oladele, an engineer, would serve as the Plenary Speaker.
Speaking on the relevance of the theme, Akinyele said it was pertinent for Nigerians to begin to understand the many ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was impacting their lives and prepare for the changes.
“A lot of things we take for granted are becoming automated. Much of the work humans do are being automated. A clear demonstration of the impact of AI is our mobile phones, which has eliminated the need to go to the post office. You don’t even have to use a desktop before you respond to your mails; you can use your phone.
“This, while good, also has its other side – ethical issues about privacy, unemployment…African countries lag behind in the level of automation worldwide. If we don’t do something to get on board, we would be further disenfranchised,” he said.
During the Fair to hold at the Jelili Omotola Halls of the University, Okanlawon said a zero-emissions car being designed by a team led by Prof Samson Adeosun; and an improved brake pad for the aviation sector by Dr Olumuyiwa Agunsoye, would be among innovations on display.
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