Huawei Unveils Unilag OpenLab for Digital Innovation, R&D

Huawei at the weekend unveiled its first Openlab in Nigeria, a new center of excellence to foster joint and research & development-driven ICT innovation with partners, the University of Lagos (Unilag).

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt the Huawei-Unilag Openlab is set to drive innovation and research in areas including the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and big data, to build safer and smarter cities.

The Openlab will accelerate digital innovation, and help Unilag students develop skills and competitive edge for the future, which is also an important part of the university’s academic excellence drives.

Speaking to the Openlab unveiling, Mr. Frank Li, managing director of Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, stated that, “Huawei is dedicated to investment of industry innovation driven by both customer needs and new technologies. Huawei will continuously adhere to its strategic focus, investment, and the relentless pursuit of strategic breakthrough to face all challenges together with its partners. ”

He said that continuous investment and resources will be put into ICT innovation to drive the digital economy in Nigeria and in other African countries.

Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Professor Duro Oni, deputy vice-chancellor of University of Lagos (Unilag), said that the University community was delighted by the Huawei’s choice to site the Openlab in the area.

He said that the centre will act as an incubation center for joint collaboration between ICT industry and the Academic institution in developing solutions to build a competitive industry ecosystem.

He said that Unilag students will further experience the facility with first-hand solutions for disruptive technologies and boost their research resources and “facilitate their international exchange of ideas about new innovations and evolving technical solutions”.

Prof Oni said that with the Openlab, Unilag students will further witness global best practice, exchange ideas, explore business solutions through innovation and also a platform to develop win-win ICT eco-system for the country.

To date, Huawei has established over ten inter-connected Openlabs across the globe to help enterprises across various industries accelerate digital transformation.

With industrial experts, business and technology experts and over 150 industry partners, Huawei’s Openlabs globally fostered the development and deployment of leading ICT solutions for governments and enterprises from the energy, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, media and other sectors.