CcHUB partners TASUED to launch EdTech Centre of Excellence

Co-creation Hub—the leading innovation centre in Nigeria, in partnership with Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)—Nigeria's premier university of education, has launched an EdTech Centre of Excellence (EdTechCOE).

The EdTechCOE is situated TASUED ICT Centre in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Through academic research, a community of edtech enthusiasts, incubation and research fellowship programme, the EdTechCOE aims to accelerate the application of technology for teaching, learning and management of education in Nigeria and Africa.

The hard truth is that Nigeria's education system has been in comatose. And edtech, which has been touted as one of the solutions is also lagging behind its siblings, fintech and healthtech, in the tech ecosystem. Out of the total $1.16 billion raised by African startups in 2018, only 2.7% were from Edtech startups.

The partnership, according to a statement made available to benjamindada.com, presupposes that CcHUB defines the research focus of the centre, while TASUED provides academic leadership and share relevant knowledge for the benefits of multiple stakeholders in Nigeria and globally.

The centre has five areas of focus: technology application in schools and classrooms, teachers' training and capacity development, effective teaching methodologies for science education, digital laboratories and simulations, and advanced and future technology in education.

CcHUB will also be providing scholarships for postgraduate students working on edtech topics in line with the focus of the centre, while TASUED will lead innovation and advocacy for improved teacher training programmes across Nigeria to cater to the demands of digitally compliant classrooms and new teaching methods.

This is one of many strategic investments CcHUB has made towards the achievment of its vision. Earlier this year, CcHUB expanded to East Africa by setting up a Design Lab in Rwanda. And more recently, it acquired Kenya's leading innovation centre, iHUB.

Education is the bedrock of healthy societies. As we continue to contribute to shaping the innovation ecosystem in Africa, accelerating the application of science and technology in improving education outcomes will be crucial to driving our overall agenda.

In 2016, CcHUB launched re:learn to manage all its education initiatives. With a centre in Abuja, re:learn leverages technology to impart knowledge in the next generation, as well as the training of educators.

In January 2018, also, CcHUB established the African Universities Innovation Accelerator (AUIA) programme with the aim of accelerating the contribution of African universities to the application of knowledge for better society. It also showcases innovative projects from African universities

The EdTechCOE has been long time coming. There are reports suggesting it was first announced last year. TASUED's Director of ICT, Ademola Adenubi, expressed his delight on the realisation of the EdTechCOE dream at the launch event on Monday.

Bosun said: "The EdTechCOE is an opportunity to lead the change we want to see. In as much as we are training teachers, we need to also help them see solutions to problems and also solve them. The future is about building and creating avenues to make our lives better".

The EdTechCOE will host monthly edtech meetups, Developer Student Club (by Google) and other innovators and entrepreneurs events. Applications for the centre's 2019 incubation programme is currently ongoing.