The Faculty of Engineering (FENG) at Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State, successfully held its third annual Faculty Conference from August 27th to 29th, 2024, at the Prof. Abiodun A. Ojo Hall.
The conference featured both physical and virtual attendance and brought together esteemed policymakers, registered engineers, seasoned analysts, and scholars from various fields and institutions across the nation to explore the critical role of technology-enabled entrepreneurship and local content development in driving economic growth and national development.
The three-day conference saw active participation from over 40 presenters representing various industries and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Attendees included prominent political figures, business experts, the governing council, management team, deans of faculties, directors, heads of departments, staff, and students of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.
After insightful presentations, rigorous evaluations, and productive deliberations on the conference theme, key findings and recommendations were formulated for industries, institutions, and governments at all levels.
Key Points/Findings:
1. The Role of Technology in Modern Entrepreneurship: The conference underscored the transformative impact of technology on fostering innovation and business growth, especially in sectors like fintech, agritech, and healthtech. Participants highlighted how digital tools and platforms enable entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and access global markets.
2. Local Content as a Catalyst for Economic Growth: There was a consensus on the importance of prioritizing local resources, skills, and industries to achieve sustainable economic development. The discussions emphasized the need for local content policies that promote the use of indigenous resources, labor, and services. The conference developed the slogan “MAKE IT LOCAL” to encourage the use of local content, aiming to foster economic self-reliance, create jobs, and reduce dependency on foreign inputs.
3. Student Development and Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: Strategies to empower youth through education, skill development, and entrepreneurship were a focal point. The conference highlighted the necessity for educational institutions to integrate technology and entrepreneurship into their curricula, equipping students with the skills and resources required to succeed as entrepreneurs.
Recommendations:
1. Creation of Innovation Hubs: It was recommended that institutions and governments establish and support innovation hubs to provide a conducive environment for tech startups. These hubs should offer access to mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities to foster growth and innovation.
2. Implementation of Local Content Policies: Governments and industry stakeholders were urged to implement and strictly enforce local content policies that promote the use of local materials and workforce in technology-driven projects.
3. Emphasizing the Polytechnic Concept: The conference called for a renewed focus on the core mission of polytechnics in promoting creativity and innovation among staff and students. Emphasizing the role of polytechnics as problem solvers rather than problem managers was seen as crucial.
4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Stronger collaboration between the public sector, private companies, and educational institutions was recommended to foster entrepreneurship and ensure that economic growth benefits are widely shared.
5. Enhancing Access to Finance: Financial institutions were encouraged to develop products tailored to the needs of tech-enabled startups, including venture capital, grants, and low-interest loans to support their growth.
6. Publication of Research Papers: The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was tasked with promptly publishing the papers presented at the conference to disseminate knowledge and spur further research.
7. Continuation of Ongoing Research: The LOC was also encouraged to take steps to implement research findings to drive economic growth, using all available resources.
8. Curriculum Revision: It was recommended that the existing curriculum be updated to keep pace with current technological advancements, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the modern workforce.
9. Inter-Faculty Collaboration: All faculties of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa (AOPE) were encouraged to collaborate on innovative projects to achieve international recognition and impact.
The 3rd annual Faculty of Engineering Conference at Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, was a significant success, fostering intellectual discourse and collaboration on key issues affecting technology and local content development in Nigeria and beyond.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) expressed profound gratitude to all invited guests, supporters, presenters, participants, planning committee members, the Governing Council, the Management Team, Staff, and Students of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, for their unwavering dedication, support, and meaningful contributions to the success of the conference.
The Faculty also promised to continue offering educational programs in collaboration with other faculties to advance the goals of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State.
