16 varsities to compete in STEM challenge

About 16 Nigerian institutions will participate in this year’s University Duel and Smart Challenge, to showcase their expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The competition, which blends academic knowledge with real-world problem-solving, enables undergraduates to demonstrate their skills in both theoretical and practical applications of STEM.

Addressing journalists on the programme, the Chief Executive Officer of Foothold Advisors, Dr Ore Sofekun, said the competition was aimed at inspiring students to use their academic learning to address societal challenges through innovative technology.

“The University Duel and Smart Challenge consists of two key parts; the first focuses on testing students’ knowledge in STEM subjects, such as mathematics, data analytics, verbal reasoning, and general knowledge; while the second part challenges them to apply what they’ve learned by solving real-world -problems using technology.

She added: “Fifty Nigerian universities participated in the selection, where students took a national computer-based test. The top-performing students were ranked and grouped into four categories: premier universities, federal universities, state universities, and private universities.”

Sokefun, who disclosed that the process of selecting participants for the competition began earlier this year, described the quiz as “highly competitive,” with contestants being tested on a range of subjects.

She explained that in addition to the quiz, students had been tasked with a critical challenge; identifying a problem in their local community and proposing a solution using technology.

She added: “Each university team has already submitted their business plans, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The top three universities will advance to the next stage, where they will have three months to develop and refine their proposed solutions.”

Chief Executive Officer of Innovia Labs, Durojaiye Phillips, emphasised the importance of practical solutions, saying they could have a significant impact on the country’s economy.

Phillips also highlighted the need for greater investment in STEM fields to ensure that young graduates have opportunities to apply their knowledge in Nigeria.

He also enjoined the government to create policies that encourage STEM companies to establish themselves in Nigeria, which would, in turn, create job opportunities for the graduates.

The schools in group one are the University of Lagos, University of Ilorin, Bells University, and Federal University of Technology Akure; Group Two, Veritas University, Lagos State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and Obafemi Awolowo University.

Group three are Olabisi Onabanjo University, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Port Harcourt, and Covenant University

Group four are Kaduna State University, Achievers University, University of Benin, and Yaba College of Technology.