Professor Samuel Oluwadare, an expert in Computer Science with a focus on Soft and High-Performance Computing, emphasized the critical need for digitized data to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements aimed at resolving societal challenges.
The lecture, held on August 6, 2024, focused on the transformative potential of leveraging digital data in AI techniques such as machine learning and artificial neural networks.
Oluwadare’s lecture, aptly titled “Soft Computing: An Organic Solution to Complex Real-Life Problems,” highlighted the essence of utilizing natural opportunities to address intricate real-world issues. Drawing parallels with recent global events, he advocated for a deliberate effort to digitize data across all facets of national life, pointing out the current scarcity of digital data necessary for research and development.
Oluwadare recommended revising the National Policy on Education to include science textbooks and instructional materials in both English and local languages such as Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.
He suggested a dual-column format to facilitate better comprehension and emphasized using local examples in educational content.
For instance, he proposed replacing the phrase “as white as snow” with “as white as leke leke,” referring to the locally familiar cattle egrets.
Addressing infrastructural challenges, Professor Oluwadare called on the government to incentivize private sector investments in digital infrastructure through tax credit schemes, akin to those used for road construction.
He also urged for the recognition of tertiary institutions and research labs as critical national assets deserving of subsidized, uninterrupted power supply. Further, he appealed for stronger private sector support in funding research and endowing professorial chairs to translate academic research into practical, economic solutions.
To stimulate interest and growth in soft computing, Oluwadare recommended integrating more life sciences topics into the computer science curriculum.
This interdisciplinary approach, he argued, would enhance the application of soft computing in solving real-life problems.
Drawing from his extensive research, he showcased a web-based generic algorithm model designed in 2017, which optimizes the job matching process. This model addresses the inefficiencies of manual recruitment methods, employing advanced algorithms for accurate and timely processing of large volumes of applications.
Oluwadare traced the evolution of computing from primitive tools like sand and beads to modern digital technologies. He emphasized the exponential application of computers beyond mere mathematical problem-solving to diverse aspects of human endeavor.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, lauded Professor Oluwadare as a distinguished academic whose contributions have significantly advanced his field.
She expressed confidence that his insights would aid in addressing some of Nigeria’s current challenges, particularly in the realm of computer science and its applications.
Source: FUTA