Experts harp importance of AI in Engineering at UI WOPESA symposium

Students of the Wood Products and Biomaterials Engineering department in the University of Ibadan have been urged to embrace technology innovation in compliance with global standards in order to be relevant in their field.

This was the major message at a symposium organised Wood Products and Biomaterials Engineering Students Association (WOPESA) of the University of Ibadan, themed, ‘Transforming Wood Products: Embracing Digitalization and Automation.’

The need to embrace technology in upgrading the processes involving wood and biomaterials utilization was the focus of a symposium which was part of efforts to prepare the students for life as professional outside the walls of the institution.

The guest speaker, Dr Tony Adeniji, an alumnus of the department, demonstrated the relevance of information technology in upgrading the processes involving wood and biomaterials utilization as well as the relevance of artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) modeling in the advancement of Engineering through design improvement and upgrading of technology innovation in compliance with global standards.

In his presentation, he encouraged the students to be focused, dedicated, and goal-oriented, emphasizing the importance of excelling academically even if they will end up pursuing personal business, warning them against the current trend of belief among students that “school is a scam,” as believing such a disillusion will reduce the commitment of students to their academics and subsequently impede their success in life.

According to him, in addition to academic excellence, there is a major need for students to improve their skills and upgrade their employability by learning things that make them outstanding and excellent through personal development, attending training, volunteering and professional certifications.

Additionally, he accentuated the importance of adding value to their chosen career and how value brings in money. He emphasised that the students need to develop skills in automation technology to solve Engineering and Biomaterials problems in society and create a niche for themselves to make the world a better place.

Dr Adeniji was presented an award of excellence as a way of appreciating his immense support and contributions to the department; accepting students of the department for industrial attachments at his company, Buff-I Global Consult Limited, providing materials and machinery to students for projects, internship and, industrial visitation opportunities as well as offering career advice and mentorship, the students presented an award of excellence to him.

The program had in attendance, the acting Head of the Department, Dr. T. E. Omoniyi, one of the pioneer Professor of the faculty, Emeritus Prof E. B. Lucas, Prof Onilude, Professor Adefisan, Professor Oladokun, Dr Kolajo, Engineer Fowowe, among other teaching and non-teaching staff of the department as well as student executives led by the president, Okpewo Ejiroghene and students across different levels.

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