CommTech Minister commissions UNILAG network

Dr. Omobola Johnson, the Minister of Communication Technology has commissioned the University Inter-Campus Connectivity (UnICC) project at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos in Idi-Araba.

The project tagged “A Smart Classroom” was officially unveiled by the Minister who explained that the initiative was backed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) set up by the Federal Government to facilitate the extension of telecommunication services to under-served and un-served communities across Nigeria.

According to the Minister, who is also Chairperson of the USPF Board, “it is in the pursuit of this objective that the USPF initiated various programmes and projects to facilitate the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services which are designed to extend ICT and other telecommunication services to tertiary institutions,” she explained.

She further disclosed that during the first phase of the project, the USPF will deploy over 300 kilometres of 48 cores, single mode Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) between the main campuses of 17 universities and their corresponding annexes.

“The project is creating and equipping 17 smart classrooms at medical colleges across the country. Facilities within these smart classrooms include an interactive smart board, overhead projector, audio-visual support systems with lecture recording and playback capabilities as well as 50 wireless enabled touch screen PCs,” she said.

While delivering a brief remark at the commissioning ceremony, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, accompanied by Professor Babajide Alo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research); , Dr. (Mrs.) Taiwo Folasade Ipaye, Registrar;Mr. Lateef Odekunle, Bursar; Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Provost of College of Medicine; Professor Toyin Ogundipe, Director of Academic Planning, among others, expressed the delight of the management of the University at the project.

He described the project as a significant one that portends the start of the realisation of solid ICT base necessary for the attainment of the nation’s contemporary educational objectives.