AFRICA

Veritas Varsity Wins $20,000 Telecommunication Union Grant

Veritas University in Abuja was on Friday announced the winner of the third edition of the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) Africa Innovation Challenge in Nairobi, Kenya.

The victory comes with a cash reward of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) grant to Veritas University.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Head, Corporate Affairs and Communications Department of the University, Ben Agande said the lavish ceremony was held in Nairobi with the Nigerian High Commissioner in the Country accepting the award on behalf of Veritas University.

Agande said this is not the first time that Veritas University would be doing the nation proud at the continental level.

He said the institution is presently the African Representative at the World Universities debating contest coming up in the United States of America in March.

According to him, in a keenly contested Innovation Challenge organised by the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) and sponsored by Intel, Huawei, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the GSMA, Veritas University’s “Software Engineering Lab,” won the competition with its “innovative initiative focusing on providing hands-on learning experiences for young innovators”.

“The practice is structured to inspire young tech enthusiasts to develop software-driven solutions that tackle community challenges and promote sustainability.

“Utilizing a blend of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the Veritas Software Engineering Lab has catalyzed numerous innovations. One notable outcome is the development of Smart Irrigation Systems (SIS), aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and mitigating food shortages. Veritas won the $20,000 top prize”, Agande emphasized.

The Head, Department of Software Engineering of Veritas University, Dr Emmanuel Mkpojiogu, who led the team that achieved the feat said the team was thrilled to share the exciting news that Veritas University has emerged victorious in the 3rd edition of the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge.

He said, “This remarkable achievement reflects the spirit of excellence and collaborative synergy within our university. After intense competition and rigorous evaluation across various stages, our talented students and dedicated faculty members from the Software Engineering Lab have achieved an outstanding feat.

“Their relentless efforts, creativity, and innovation have propelled Veritas University to the top position in this prestigious challenge.”

Similarly, the Coordinator, Industrial Collaboration in Research and Development for the Department of Software Engineering, Stanley Tio Andeobu, attributed the success to the relentlessness, apt and high intelligence of the staffing team Dr. Engr. Chibueze Ikpo, Engr. Bola Mustapha, Mr. Christian Nwanagba and young dogged students in 300 Level and 200 Level of the department.

The Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, while praising Mkpojiogu and his team for the remarkable feat said the achievement adds to the growing list of Veritas achievements and laurels.

“I am excited with what our team has achieved. Recently, the African Development Bank adopted Veritas University as its Centre of Excellence for Computer Coding for Employment in Nigeria. This Continental award has proven that that decision was a worthy one”, the Vice Chancellor said.

He said that Veritas University will continue to prioritize innovation in its quest to remain the University of choice in the country in the areas of Computing and Engineering.

Entries from Zetech University, Kenya and BlueCrest College Sierra Leone that came second and third respectively secured grants of $10,000 and $5,000 .

The Representative of Nigeria High Commission in Kenya, Emmanuel Jaja received the award on behalf of Veritas University.

Friday Olokor