By Lami Bawa
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, has officially unveiled advanced telecommunications equipment donated to the School of Electrical Engineering Technology (SEET) by Huawei Limited, facilitated by 9mobile Nigeria. The unveiling ceremony took place on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Telecoms Laboratory, located at the SICT Complex, Main Campus.
In his remarks, Prof. Kuta expressed his gratitude to Huawei and the contributors who helped make the donation possible. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the university’s mission to engage with its alumni, who remain committed to supporting FUTMINNA’s goals. Prof. Kuta also reiterated his vision to position FUTMINNA on the global stage and assured that the School of Electrical Engineering Technology will continue to receive the resources necessary to produce world-class engineers.
In her welcome address, the Dean of SEET, Prof. Elizabeth Nwuka, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and other University leaders for attending the ceremony. She highlighted that the equipment donation was facilitated by an alumnus who coordinated with Huawei to provide devices that, though no longer in use, are ideal for educational purposes. Prof. Nwuka noted that this collaboration is expected to expand, with more contributions from the alumni network.
Dr. Bala A. Salihu, the Director of ITS, offered a technical overview of the donated equipment, emphasizing its importance for hands-on training and demonstrations. Kenneth Igwe, the Talent Development Manager at Huawei Nigeria and an alumnus of FUTMINNA, expressed pride in facilitating the donation. He noted that this initiative, which began two years ago, is now producing tangible results.
Representing Huawei, Roy Yang conveyed his excitement about the collaboration and pledged further support in the future.
Dr. Taliha Folorunso, the Head of Mechatronics Engineering and the Faculty’s Outcome-Based Engineering Education (OBE) Liaison Officer, emphasized that the equipment was secured through the efforts of AbdulBaqi Salihu, the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of 9mobile.
Dr. Folorunso highlighted that the equipment will be instrumental for both students and faculty in enhancing their practical skills.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Telecommunications Engineering, Prof. Abraham Usman, extended his appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and the donors. He stressed that the equipment is intended for use across SEET, and it will be fully utilized for the benefit of the university community.
The donated items include Baseband Units for 4G and 5G networks, Active Antenna Units, Base Station Equipment, Remote Radio Units, High-Frequency Coaxial Connectors, High-Performance Servers, Router Switches, and Network Management Devices.
The event was attended by professors, staff, and students from SEET, who all welcomed the new resources with enthusiasm.
Photo credit: Elijah Yisa