Softcom Limited on Monday donated the recently launched Artificial Intelligence textbooks to 250 primary and secondary school teachers across Lagos state.
Oyin-Adejobi Morayo R., Senior Education Officer, Abesan Comprehensive Jnr. College, Ipaja, Olalekan Akinsande, Technical Delivery Lead, Data Science Nigeria at the Softcom-sponsored AI Masterclass for Teachers in Lagos
This was during a Softcom-hosted Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Python programming Masterclass for computer science teachers.
The workshop, aimed at equipping teachers with the requisite skills and knowledge to transfer to their students, was in partnership with Data Science Nigeria (DSN) as follow up to the recent AI Summit in Lagos.
Seindemi Olobayo, chief solutions officer, Softcom Limited, said: “we are very passionate about education because it is through education that we can drive change in Nigeria.
“To address the challenges in the education sector, we are doing some research around basic education and the possibilities of broad access. We also have the Teachers’ Learning Network where we systematically upskill teachers.”
“We are therefore excited to partner with Data Science Nigeria on this book distribution to various schools across Nigeria” He added.
It would be recalled that last month, Data Science Nigeria (DSN), in partnership with Softcom, published and launched the first AI textbook for primary and secondary schools.
Olalekan Akinsande, technical delivery lead, Data Science Nigeria, says: “we are committed to building 1 million Artificial Intelligence talents in 10 years from Nigeria and this Masterclass is one of our platforms to realize this vision. We are thankful to our partners, Softcom for making this happen.”
During the Masterclass, participants were taken through the impact & use cases of AI, alternative channels to learn Python using devices besides a laptop, deep dive into Python programming and introduction to Machine Learning and Deep Learning.
Participants in the Masterclass expressed their excitement and appreciation to the organisers. Adebowale Adetoun, ICT and Data Processing Teacher, At-Tanzeel Schools, Ikorodu, one of the participants, described the Masterclass as informative, educative & interesting.
Okoedoh Abraham, a private educator, says: “I am particularly excited about the tools explored – Python in particular.
“Being able to access Python for free is of advantage to low income countries like Nigeria, and I look forward to implementing a Data Science & AI curriculum in the schools that we partner with”.
Softcom also used this platform to highlight the challenges in the education space and how they look to address these issues utilising technology. With Nigeria’s population rapidly growing year after year, it is necessary for education to scale at a similar pace.
The solutions highlighted include ‘Koya for Schools’, which provides stakeholders in the teaching and learning process with tools to ensure they can effectively learn, document, track, interact and share educational materials seamlessly; and ‘Koya for Open learning’, designed to equip individuals with skills they need to thrive in the corporate world, and solve societal challenges.
