Thirty-seven engineering pupils from Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti have launched a specialized practical training course in Hangzhou, China. The students are currently based at the Zhejiang Polytechnic University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to study Intelligent Manufacturing and Intelligent Control Technology.
This initiative represents a significant step in the university’s mission to integrate global industry standards into its curriculum. According to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, the program aligns with the goals set by university founder Aare Afe Babalola to foster graduates who excel on an international level. This collaboration follows several official visits in 2024 and the formalization of agreements in March 2026 with Chinese partners like the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology.
Before their departure, the participants completed three months of preparatory coursework at ABUAD to ensure they were ready for the transition. Currently, the students are utilizing advanced laboratory and industrial facilities in China to gain hands-on experience in automation and manufacturing. Prof. Moses Onibonje and Dr. Princess Imhade Okokpuje are accompanying the group to provide academic and professional mentorship. This project underscores the university’s strategy to prepare students for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
