UI Design Studio organises bootcamp for female pupils, contest for tech innovators

The University of Ibadan (UI) Design Studio has recently organised a bootcamp for female junior secondary school pupils and a tech competition for university students.

UI Design Studio (Innovation Hub) domiciled in the Faculty of Technology of the university, conducted an eight-week, once-weekly engagement programme tagged ‘UI-DS Female Pre-Teen Tech Bootcamp 1.0’, which trained 20 female pupils aged 10–12 years from Abadina Grammar School and the International School Ibadan—both located on the university campus.

The training covered the basics of programming, robotics, engineering, creativity, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

In parallel, the design studio also hosted the UI Design Studio Design Competition 2024, themed ‘Healthcare, Energy, Robotics, and Environment (H.E.R.E).’

The design studio reviewed and judged technological projects done by university students across Nigeria who applied for the competition. At the finals, ten teams each comprising 2–4 members competed in the programme.

Engr. Olusola Oke, the manager of the design studio, noted that the bootcamp and design competition were supported by Chevron Group, in collaboration with Rice360 Institute of Global Health Technologies, Houston, USA, under the auspices of the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) Project,

Oke emphasised the importance of fostering technological literacy from an early age, adding, “The bootcamp is designed to ignite a passion for STEM by providing young learners with hands-on experience in a fun and engaging environment.”

Professor Akinwale Coker, the principal investigator of the NEST360 Project, and a professor of Civil and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ibadan, commended the dual programmes for enabling pre-teens to observe and learn from university students on how to innovate and present technological solutions.

He encouraged the participants to prioritise innovation and creativity, stating, “We are in the era of do-it-yourself and what you can bring to the table. The people who succeed are those who can innovate and apply their skills and intellect.”

Professor Ademola Dare, co-principal investigator of the NEST360 Project, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, commended on the enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by the pre-teen pupils and university students.

“The important thing is that there are ideas in our minds that we can build on and develop to benefit the world,” he said.

Professor Elizabeth Oloruntoba from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Medicine, spoke on behalf of the judges of the university students’ contest.

Professor Oloruntoba described the bootcamp and the competition as significant opportunities for the participants. She urged them to use the judges’ feedback as motivation to improve and excel further in their projects.

Engr. Victor Ogunranti of the Oyo State Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Dr (Mrs) Grace Afolabi, the principal of Abadina Grammar School, also encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge and experience gained from the programme for personal and professional development.

For the university students’ contest: Agro Alliance group (Saka Muhammed and Samson Olusanya) came third and received a cash prize of ₦150,000. Smart Cane group (Christabel Okoye, Justina Anyogo, and Jennifer Aladesanwa) secured second place, winning ₦250,000. VerveSphere (Jaiyeola Emmanuel, Godswill Amos, Favour Olusola, and Dahunsi Ayomiku) emerged as winners and were awarded ₦400,000.

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