Nasarawa University Receives Approval Establish Robotics and AI Laboratory

In accordance with the National Universities Commission‘s clearance, Phoenix University, Agwada, located in the Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, announced that it has set up a robotics and artificial intelligence laboratory for prospective students.

At a news conference held by the university on Thursday in Kokona, Nasarawa, Professor Abdullahi Bala, the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the institution, revealed this.

The VC stated that the center would help to improve expertise in research and development in robotics, artificial intelligence, and business innovation, while acknowledging that the laboratory was constructed because the institution wanted to carve out a niche in supporting its students’ degrees with skills.

He said “The Centre will ultimately become the hub for our community service and engagement where inspiring and entrepreneurial ideas will be developed, tested, and brought to life under the guidance of teachers, entrepreneurial mentors and artisans.

“It currently has five units including hardware and software for robotics and drones, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and 3-D Printing.

“The facility will not only provide opportunities for our students to express their creativity in building robots and drones but the Virtual Reality unit can be used by other students, irrespective of area of study for learning, especially real-time demonstrations from remote facilities across the globe.”

Bala went on to say that Phoenix University had finalized plans to start the 2023–2024 academic year in January 2024.

According to Bala, the university’s mission was to improve education in the state and the nation by offering high-quality, reasonably priced education.

He said that the NUC had given the privately held university permission to launch with three faculties: computing, social and management sciences, and natural and applied sciences.

 “To qualify for admission into Phoenix University, all candidates are expected to meet the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board minimum cut-off mark of 140 and possess five credit passes in relevant subjects, including Mathematics and English in the Senior School Certificate Examination at not more than two sittings.

“Phoenix University received formal approval and registration of the Federal Executive Council on May 27, 2023, after fulfilling all initial regulatory requirements and was subsequently issued with a provisional license for its take-off by the National Universities Commission on Friday, June 9, 2023.

“The University received a Resource Verification Team from the National Universities Commission on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, to inspect the adequacy of our facilities to commence academic activities.

“We intend to produce skilled graduates who are not only employable but are able to employ themselves and others,” the VC added.