Information and Communication Technology Giants, Google Nigeria and Microsoft Anglophone West Africa have expressed their readiness to collaborate with the University towards enhancing ICT delivery on campus.

Google and Microsoft made their intention known during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole in his office.

Disclosing its mission, the Program Manager, Google Apps Supporting Program (GASP), Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Olotu expressed the willingness of the company to partner with the University especially in the area of extensive adoption of Google’s office suite under the Google Apps Supporting Program (GASP).

According to him, GASP is a Google initiative designed to catalyze internet usage and Google Apps adoption in sub-Saharan African Universities.

Mr. Olotu disclosed that under the program, Google will assist in strengthening existing ICT services through offering a combination of internet bandwidth or infrastructure grants, technical consulting and training, as well as Google Apps training.

He stressed that another area of collaboration is Google Student Ambassador Programme targeted at IT-savvy students.

Mr. Olotu explained that Google student Ambassador Program will avail FUNAAB’s students a golden opportunity to act as liaisons between Google and the University.

Under the program, the Ambassadors will learn about innovative Google products, programs, plans, and host fun events on campus and act as campus contacts for Google teams.

Messrs Oladele Adedoyin and Bukunmi Omidiran, Public Sector Business Manager (Microsoft Anglophone, West Africa) and Microsoft Education Lead (Microsoft Anglophone, West Africa) respectively had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor.

Speaking, the team highlighted value added benefits that Microsoft can provide to the University through strategic partnership.

According to the team the benefits include:

Faculty connection where FUNAAB’s faculties can be connected to Microsoft researchers around the world.

Office 365 (free mail and collaboration tool) from Microsoft.

Special Academic Pricing from Microsoft for FUNAAB, to allow for proper licensing of all Microsoft Software.

E-learning to be explored for the use of the University.

Microsoft IT Academy to cover ICT Curriculum solutions, certification and professional development, among others.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole stated that the importance of ICT in the socio, economic development of the world cannot be overemphasized.

He pointed out that his vision for the University is for its arms to be fully ICT driven in every aspect of teaching, research and extension service.

Professor Oyewole maintained that the focus of the University in its quest to becoming a world class is to be ICT driven.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed interest in exploring Google Office Suite for distant learning.

The meeting was attended by the Acting Head of Information and Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC), Dr. Olutayo Ajayi and Head, Webometric, Dr. Olusegun Folorunsho.

Disclosing the immediate action of ICTREC, the Acting Head, Dr. Ajayi stated that Postgraduate and undergraduate students will soon have customized e-mail account for their use.

The Vice-Chancellor,Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole