Lagos State University (LASU) Epe Campus emerged as the winner of the SHEnovation engineering competition, organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter. The innovative project, an Artificial Intelligence-powered material selection tool, aims to optimize building designs while addressing environmental concerns, showcasing its potential as environmental equipment for sustainable construction practices.
The competition, held during APWEN’s Innovation Month, encouraged undergraduate engineers to develop solutions that tackle environmental challenges faced by Nigeria. The goal was to inspire the design of equipment and technologies that could provide long-term solutions to the country’s sustainability issues.
Prize Winners and Their Innovations
LASU secured the first prize, winning a cash award of N200,000 for their AI-driven material selection tool, designed to enhance the efficiency of building designs while promoting environmental sustainability.
Covenant University, Ota, took second place with a smart glass for the visually impaired. This device, equipped with AI and a built-in camera, reads text aloud and identifies obstacles, earning the team N150,000. This solution also contributes to accessibility and environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on less efficient alternatives.
University of Lagos claimed third place with their “Dualier Intelligent Cooking Safety System,” which integrates sensor technology, AI, and automated safety features to ensure safer cooking environments. The team received N100,000 for this innovation, which also has the potential to contribute to energy-efficient cooking solutions, a crucial aspect of environmental equipment.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta’s team, EcoHaven, secured fourth place with an AI-driven Building Management System. This system optimizes energy usage in buildings, contributing to sustainability efforts in the built environment. The team was awarded N75,000.
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti finished in fifth place with a wearable ECG device using AI to detect heart abnormalities. While primarily a health innovation, it can also be seen as part of the broader trend of wearable environmental equipment aimed at improving quality of life and well-being. The team earned N50,000.
Encouraging Innovation in Environmental Equipment and STEM
At the award ceremony, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, Chairperson of the APWEN Lagos Chapter, praised the students for their creativity and problem-solving skills. She encouraged them to “dream boldly, code fearlessly, and conquer the world of technology with integrity and innovation.” Owolabi emphasized that the future is not something to wait for but something that they are being equipped to create, particularly in the context of environmental sustainability.
Dr. Owolabi also announced the opening of an innovation hub by APWEN. The hub is designed to nurture ideas and innovations, providing a space for collaboration and hands-on experimentation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, energy efficiency, digital manufacturing, and environmental equipment solutions. This space aims to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) while fostering future innovators.
Empowering Female Engineers for Sustainable Solutions
APWEN President, Dr. Adebisi Osim, represented by Mrs. Laolu Adedapo-Aisida, spoke about the significance of the projects presented by the students. She noted that these innovations demonstrate how women engineers are not just users but key creators and drivers of technological advancement. “Continue to nurture your curiosity, embrace challenges, and never underestimate the power of your unique perspectives,” Osim urged.
She reaffirmed APWEN’s commitment to supporting female engineers by providing platforms that empower them to make meaningful contributions to the engineering field, especially in the development of environmental equipment and sustainable technologies.
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