Day 4 of the QuintAfriq ExploreCSR 2024: ML/RL Learning Capacity Building in Nigeria culminated in a grand General Assembly, bringing together the University staff, facilitators, and participants from various institutions across Nigeria. This final day marked the end of a transformative journey for the 2023/2024 cohort, celebrating their achievements and setting the stage for future innovation.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Chief Host, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francisca Oladipo. She graciously welcomed the participants to Thomas Adewumi University (TAU) and shared insights about the ExploreCSR program. Prof. Francisca highlighted that ExploreCSR is a global campus community outreach initiative by Google, designed to provide opportunities for underrepresented demographics in Africa and worldwide. It aims to bring young people together to learn new technologies, practice innovations, and join a global community of practice.
The Vice-Chancellor proudly announced that TAU is part of this global community and the first Nigerian university to win the XploreCSR initiative last year (2023) with more than 600 Universities across the globe. She extended her congratulations to Mr. Stephen Paul for hosting the event and acknowledged his efforts in making the program a success.
Furthermore, Prof. Francisca highlighted two significant milestones during the program:
- Google Career Launchpad Program: Earlier in the week, TAU hosted a Google Career Launchpad program with Googler Laju Etchie on campus.
- Facilitator Recognition: Ms. Helen Ugoeze Okereke, the facilitator for the Robotics track, has been a Women Techmakers Africa Ambassador since 2016 and was present on TAU campus.
She welcomed the participants to the XploreCSR family, emphasizing the importance of their journey in joining the global community.
The event then transitioned to the much-anticipated Hackathon presentations. Before the demonstrations, team leaders introduced themselves and their projects, sharing their experiences and the knowledge they had gained. Each group showcased their innovative projects, providing summaries and live demonstrations to the audience. The projects, developed through rigorous training and hands-on workshops, reflected the participants' dedication and newly acquired skills.
The facilitators, including Ms. Helen Ugoeze Okereke and the AI/ML team led by Mr. Newman Haruna, Mr. Abdulhammed Dere, and Mr. Rasheed Mudashiru, introduced themselves and detailed the intensive training they provided. They praised the participants' enthusiasm and hard work throughout the program.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Stephen Paul, expressing gratitude to all participants, facilitators, and TAU for their contributions to the success of the ExploreCSR program.
The General Assembly not only celebrated the participants' achievements but also reinforced Thomas Adewumi University's commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in technology education. As the participants prepare to take their new skills and knowledge back to their respective institutions, they carry with them the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to driving sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.
