Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State — June 2, 2025
In a major boost to its scientific and technological research capacity, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has installed a state-of-the-art Connected Autonomous Space Environment Sensor (CASES) GPS receiver, valued at US$15,000.00.
The award of the CASES GPS was granted by the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, USA, as part of the VT-NigerBEAR project. The award letter, formally addressed to Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, who serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages (SPRIL), Federal University Oye-Ekiti, highlighted and commended his visionary leadership in fostering academic excellence and promoting international research collaboration. This recognition not only affirms Professor Ogunwole’s enduring commitment to advancing scientific research in Nigeria but also underscores the impact of strategic academic leadership in building global partnerships that benefit institutions and national development at large.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, expressed profound appreciation for the prestigious award, describing it as a testament to FUOYE’s growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and international collaboration.
Prof. Olubunmi Shittu
Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages (SPRIL)
The CASES GPS receiver is a sophisticated device designed for cutting-edge space science research and is expected to significantly enhance FUOYE’s capacity to monitor and analyze space environment data. Its installation marks a strategic development in Nigeria’s participation in global scientific networks focused on atmospheric and space weather studies.
Professor Wayne A. Scales, the award signatory and Associate Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs at Virginia Tech, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that the College of Engineering is excited by Professor Ogunwole’s current role and anticipates innovative joint research outputs from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. He emphasized that data from the CASES receiver will be integral to ongoing collaborative research efforts between both institutions.
This development is not only a significant milestone for FUOYE but also a promising leap for space and atmospheric science research in Nigeria and West Africa at large.
