Prof. Olumide Ogundipe has urged all stakeholders to collaborate in the deployment of smart technologies to fight climate change which has become a serious crisis all over the world.
Ogundipe gave the advice during his keynote address on Wednesday at the second series of International Conference at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The conference, organised by School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, OAUSTECH, was titled “Smart Technologies For Climate Resilience And Adaptation”
Ogundipe, a Professor of Civil Engineering and Director, Special Duties, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti, described climate change as long-time shift in temperature and weather pattern.
The don said climate change had become a challenge threatning the livelihood of humans, infrastructure, agriculture and environment.
He added that when smart technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and blockchain were deployed, it would fight against climate change crisis.
According to him, climate change is a global problem, it’s an urgent crisis that destroys farms, houses, buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructures as well as livelihood of communities.
“Addressing the impacts of our infrastructure and the people require the deployment of smart technologies.
“All stakeholders, governments, private sectors and communities must work together to address the challenges that can hinder the deployment of smart technologies.
“United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommends at least one per cent, and two to three per cent for research and development for develped and developing countries respectively,” he said.
Also, Prof. Adedayo Ademola-Yusuff, said climate adaptation, resilience and strategies should be aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) in relation to the national priority interest.
Ademola-Yusuff, a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Smart System Engineering, University of South Africa, and lead speaker at the conference, spoke on “Computational Systems, Essential For Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience”.
According to him, computational platforms can be procured for modelling and simulation to access the degree of exposure of communities, no doubt that climate change will have a lot of effect on communities.
“Each country should develop models and scenarios for states to asses possible acts of climatic change, as high performance computing are free for academic use.
“Smart tools should be deployed, regions risks assessment and national priorities, more than any technical tools, we need to re- orientate our people on being kind to our environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, Vice Chancellor, OAUSTECH, comended the speakers for the lectures and enlightenment on climate change crisis and it’s possible solutions.
Ologunorisa, represented by Prof. Isaac, Olaniyan Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, OAUSTECH, said engineering had always been at the forefront of civilisation’s response to complex challenges.
“From the industrial revolution to the digital age, engineers have transformed problems into opportunities through innovation, creativity, and scientific inquiry,” Ologunorisa noted.
Earlier, Dr. Francis Elehimafe, acting Dean, School of Engineering and Engineering Technologies, OAUSTECH, said the conference was educative and impactful.
He noted that climate resilience required smart infrastructure, adaptive innovation and efficient systems, and advanced technology integration.
Also, Dr. Gbenga Elemile, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference, said the theme of the conference was both timely and significant. (NAN)