In a bid to increase the rate of technology diffusion among Nigerian students, Schneider Electric and the University of Ibadan have partnered to establish a laboratory to facilitate learning.
The Schneider Electric branded equipment in the laboratory will fill a gap in the educational system. They will provide a basis for practical education in the fields of electrical engineering, electro-technical engineering, and industrial maintenance.
With the new equipment, students will gain better useful insights into the workings of industrial systems, learn how to resolve issues associated with lockouts, conduct hazard analysis and handle several other real-life engineering tasks.
While speaking at the launch of the laboratory, the General Manager, Schneider Electric Anglophone West Africa, Mr. Balaji Lenka said “this project aims to bridge the gap between technical education and current industry requirements. It will empower youths to gain up-to-date skills to build the competent workforce necessary to solve Nigeria’s power challenges.”
Schneider Electric’s partnership with the university is the latest in a series of activities which the global energy and automation giant has engaged in to boost technological know-how in Nigeria. The partnership provides a platform that will give students access to the Schneider Electric Energy University where they can access over 200 courses in Energy Management, leading to internationally recognised certification, for free.
Apart from this initiative, Schneider Electric runs an internship program which equips young Nigerians with engineering skills. The company also has a partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through which it grooms graduates.
“We are serious about grooming talent in accordance with the policy of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board,” Mr. Lenka said at the event which was attended by students and lecturers from the university.
Speaking on behalf of the school, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka said, “this partnership is geared towards building capacity for University of Ibadan students to leverage on the expertise and opportunities provided by Schneider Electric as a major global player in power, automation and software.”
Dignitaries from the university were present at the ceremony, include Professor Kolawole Ogedengbe, Dean, Faculty of Technology. Also present were executives of Schneider Electric including Mrs Viviane Mike-Eze, marketing communication manager, Anglophone West Africa, and Mrs. Dorothy Tunde-Ajala, Human Resources Director, Anglophone West Africa.