Feb 15, 2005: e-Technology display and excitement at UNIBEN’s e-University Day

The much publicized and awaited Digital Festival tagged ‘e-University Day’ was celebrated on 9 - 10 September, 2004 at the Akin Deko Auditorium of the University of Benin, Benin City. Jointly sponsored by Intel Corporation, Microsoft, Broadband Technologies (BT) Ltd, University of Benin and UB Technologies Ltd, the event attracted all segments of the university community as well as representations of major government agencies and tertiary institutions in Edo State.

The event was formally declared open on the first day by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof EAC Nwanze who, in his keynote address, outlined his ICT vision for the University. The event also brought together major players in the IT sector in Nigeria, including Omatek Computers Ltd, Zinox Computers Ltd, Balotek.

The main objective of the event was to sensitise and create awareness of the importance of ICT in the 21^st century among students and staff of the university and the general public. Several types of technologies were showcased during the festival, prominent among which was the ‘hotspot’ whereby internet can be accessed in a designated area via wireless connections provided the computer has a wireless Local Area Network (wLAN) card. In addition, lectures covering various areas of ICT were delivered by resource persons from Intel, Broadband Technologies, Microsoft, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City and the University of Benin. Assorted prizes including T-shirts, face caps and school bags were presented to students who provided correct answers in quiz competitions. .A raffle draw involving all registered participants was also conducted and the star prize, a complete Zinox P IV computer) was won by Mr. Charles Igbinovia, a 300L structural engineering student of the University of Benin, Our hearty congratulations go to Mr Igbinovia and all other students who won various prizes.

Another e-University event is scheduled for March 28 – 31, 2005 specifically for the enlightenment of academic and other senior staff of the University of Benin and for ‘train the trainers’ programme. Details will be widely circulated shortly.