Galileo Board Training (FUTA, Nigeria)

Intel Ends Galileo Training, rates FUTA High
…VC Promises sustainability
The two weeks training and workshop on the use of
Galileo Board to tackle challenges facing nations of
the world organized by Intel Corporation and hosted
by the Federal University of Technology, Akure came
to a close amidst pomp and pageantry.
Team Intel, comprising expatriates from the United
States of America and led by Tayo Akanni rated
FUTA high as an emerging University that will soon
compete with world class Universities. One of the
expatriates and trainer, Wolf Witt said “Coming to
Nigeria and training people at FUTA is a great
experience that will linger for long in our minds. You
have a great University that is well organized.
Science, Engineering, Technology and the Art are
interrelated. This relationship is possible through the
use of the right technology. This technology we have
demonstrated practically these two weeks through
the use of Galileo Board.”
Speaking in the same vein, Intel Nigeria Country
Representative, Olubunmi Ekundare, represented by
Corporate Affairs Manager, Akinola Babatunde said
“We saw the enthusiasm FUTA showed at the
beginning of this relationship and we concluded there
is no other place to start than FUTA. The Vice-
Chancellor gave us the whole support needed, while
Dr. Kayode Alese’s team did a wonderful follow-up to
make this training a reality”.
Addressing beneficiaries of the training, Wolf and
Babatunde encouraged them to extend the training to
others. Babatunde said “In the 21st century,
collaboration, innovation and critical thinking are
important to tackle the challenges our nations are
facing. Africa has great potentials, but we need to
collaborate to expose our skills and sell our ideas to
the outside world. There is a need to extend
technology to the coming generation so as to move
our continent forward. Galileo Board is innovative and
creative. It proffers solutions to all human challenges
by linking one to the whole world. Therefore see this
knowledge you have acquired as a life time
opportunity. Improve on it.”
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor
Adebiyi Daramola represented by the Deputy Vice-
chancellor, Academic, Professor Adedayo Fasakin
said “It is evident that through this training, our
recognition both locally and abroad has further
increased. I am glad the Intel Team has a good and
memorable experience and impression about our
modest University. With our level of excellence and
favourable ranking as number nine in Nigeria and 80
in Africa, we are not yet where we desire to be. FUTA
is an ongoing project which all stakeholders are
committed to, with the target of being the best
University in Nigeria and among the top ten in
Africa.”
Professor Daramola further urged beneficiaries of the
training to ensure judicious and impactful deployment
of the skill gained from the training. He also
commended the Management of Intel for making
FUTA the venue of the training and as the hub of
Intel’s Galileo Board activities in Nigeria.
On sustainability, Daramola said “We assure the
Company of our consistent and sustained support all
the time. I also urge beneficiaries from other
Universities to extend the knowledge acquired to
their colleagues from other Universities.”
Dr. Alese in a remark said “This two week training
had not only opened our eyes to the capability of
Intel’s Galileo Board but also to our own capability if
given the right tools, environment and the right
support.”
On the benefit of the programme to the Nigerian
economy, Alese said “Building on what we have
learnt from you is one of the quickest ways Nigeria
can have technology independence and increase her
Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He applauded the effort of the Vice-Chancellor in
creating an enabling environment for FUTA to host
the training and also thanked Intel Country Director,
Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare and Corporate Affairs
Manager, Mr. Akinola Babatunde for their roles in
making FUTA the preferred choice.
Some of the participants expressed their delight in
the training and also commended FUTA for hosting
them by saying “If all our Universities can be like
FUTA, Nigerian education system and our economy
will improve.”
Eight Universities took part in the training which held
at the Digital Resource Centre of the University.
Professor Fasakin and the Registrar ,Dr Mrs Modupe
Ajayi presented certificates to participants to round
off the closing ceremony.
The closing ceremony was witnessed by FUTA
Principal Officers, Senior Academic and non-
academic staff, ICT experts, stakeholders and
students.