By EMEKA AGINAM

There were convincing signals that Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was retooling for e-learning as next paradigm shift in 21st century education following the formal launch of the center of excellence in software engineering recently  at the University.

The centre of excellence which was supported by Step-B/World Bank with a grant of $5.6 million is powered with many facilities including Internet access laboratory, software studio, cloud computing centre, Telepresence, hardware design, and software engineering laboratories respectively, while Skye Bank supported the project with a building worth 180 million naira

The facility which is the first of its kind, has the carrying capacity of about 1200 students per use. The establishment of the centre of excellence in software engineering is expected to solve the problems of inadequately prepared post-basic teachers to cope with the 21st century science and technology challenges.

However, if fully utilized, the centre is also expected to address paucity of educational software that utilizes teaching aids such as simulation, animations and graphics for teaching and learning of science and technology post basic courses.

Commissioning the centre recently at the university , Professor Bamitale Omole, the Vice-Chancellor of the University told the gathering that the major mission of the University with respect to ICT, as documented in the Strategic Plan (2010-2015) was to run a cost efficient and effective academic programmes and institutional management. He said that with the facilities at the centre, teachers and students can interact seamlessly without having to be together in the traditional classroom environment.

With most Universities embracing e-learning globally with modern technologies, he disclosed that the mission is to develop ICT to a level such that it will serve as backbone of the university’s development strategy in teaching, curriculum development, innovation, research, administration and service.

“As an evidence of this, OAU, was ranked number 1 in Nigeria, during the last webometric ranking. I am also proud to say that OAU has 491 Mbps of Internet bandwidth which allows for fast access to the internet. I am sure that the entire OAU community will make the best use of the equipment. It is also my hope that this Centre will facilitate collaborations between researchers and industry, and sharing of research results.

“The good news is that Sir ‘Demola Aladekemo, Group Managing Director, Chams Plc is in the process of expanding the software studio within this Centre of Excellence. Approval has already been granted for the land to execute this project” he said.

During the tour of the facilities within the Centre, Prof. G.A. Aderounmu, the ICT Director explained that the centre seeks to create enabling environment for imparting knowledge in science and technology using ICT driven, participatory and student centre teaching and learning approaches.

According to him, the goal of the centre was to develop the required local science and technology human resources for the nation’s post basic institutions with built-in functional ICT capacity.

Explaining further the benefits of the facilities, he said that the telepresence is equipped with Huawei TP3118 product which is tri-screen telepresence system with one row of conference tables seating eighteen participants.

This brings people together in a best ever virtual meeting experience, immediately and enjoyable. Synergy between people creates value, reduces cost and help you stray ahead of competition. Lecture delivery to large class and web conferencing are some of the advantages of using the facilities” he said. According to him, the Cloud Computing Environment consists of 7.7 TB cloud server for applications and operating systems and cloud storage of 96TB with 500 virtual terminals.

With CaaS as ones of the services deployed in the OAU cloud, he added that web conferencing, video communication services, emails among others help the academic community in e-learning environment.

The University Don further explained that the software studio in the centre provides a conducive environment for software developers to meet, interact, and enhance their development skills.

The software developers within the studio, he said are responsible for the development of various application software for local and international consumption.