A Professor of Computer Science (Soft and High-Performance Computing) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA Samuel Oluwadare has called for appropriate and adequate usage of digitized data to power Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to tackle human and societal challenges.He made the call while delivering the 170th inaugural lecture of the University on Tuesday 6th August 2024.
Oluwadare who titled his lecture, “Soft Computing: An organic Solution to Complex Real-Life Problems,” said “it is important to leverage on the opportunities offered by nature to solve complex real-life problems. Recent events in our world have taught us lessons on the wisdom of God in creating the earth and all that are in it. Most of the time, solutions to the seemingly complex problems of life are in our pockets rather than in the sky. Therefore, there should be deliberate effort to digitalize data and record keeping in all aspects of our national life. Currently, there is dearth of data in digital form, for research and other purposes. Digitized data is the raw material being used to power Artificial Intelligence techniques such as machine learning, Artificial Neural Networks, soft computing and so on.”
The don also recommended a review of the National Policy on Education to incorporate developing textbooks and lecture materials for the teaching of science subjects in local languages, particularly at the lower levels. He said “I want to recommend that science textbooks and instructional materials could be presented in a two-column format, whereby the first column should be in English Language and the second column in the native language such as Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo. This method is being adopted in publishing some religious books. It helps the understanding of the reader better as he/she has the opportunity of seeking better understanding of the subject matter based on the language on which he/she is proficient.”
Based on the above, Oluwadare added that “there should be greater emphasis by teachers at all levels to use local examples when writing textbooks or developing teaching materials for science subjects. For instance, instead of saying ‘as white as snow’ when we know that snows are not common in Nigeria (being a tropical environment), we can say ‘as white as leke leke.’ Leke lekes are those white birds called cattle egrets, which follow herd of cattle all around. You are more likely to find leke leke in Nigeria than snow. This measure will make pupils and students appreciate and understand the common things in their environment.”
He further called on government to encourage private sector investment in digital infrastructure through a tax credit scheme as it is being done for road construction. According to him, this scheme will enable private companies, particularly the telecom companies to convert income taxes payable into digital infrastructure development.
In the area of research, he appealed to the government and private investors to address the current epileptic and exorbitant power supply cost to tertiary institutions and research institutes, especially their laboratories, by declaring them as critical national assets where subsidized power should be available 24/7. “The private sector should step-up its support for research and development through more collaboration with tertiary educational institutions by funding and endowment of professorial chairs, with the ultimate aim of transforming several research outputs which are gathering dust on the shelves to useful products that will transform the economy of Nigeria” he added.
The lecturer also recommended that “since soft computing leverages on basic and applied life sciences such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, agricultural science, zoology, botany etc., incorporating more of these into the present computer science curriculum will help stimulate interest in its study, growth and application in solving real-life problems.”
Professor Oluwadare who has contributed a lot to knowledge in soft computing advocated the use of web-based generic algorithm method for matching applicants to jobs. He said “the manual method of job recruitment is fraught with many problems such as inability to process large volume of applications, resumes and other papers involved in the recruitment process accurately and timely. Matching applicants to jobs is a multi-objective and multi-constraints problem which requires a robust research and optimization algorithm to handle.” A team he led in 2017 designed a web-based generic algorithm model using Roulette Wheel selection, Cyclic Crossover and Inversion Mutation operators presented. The designed framework presents a three-tier architecture comprising the front end, application, and data layers. The system could be implemented in suitable database engine, programming and scripting tools that will reduce the risks and stress associated with applicants travelling for recruitment exercises.
Delving into the historical background of computing or computation derived from the word compute, which simply means to count or calculate, he said “before the advent of modern computers, humans have employed various methods and implements for counting and making calculations. The objects used for computation in early days of human civilization differs from one part of the world to the other, based on the level or stage of civilization. Some of the objects that have been used include sand, beads, cowries, stones or pebbles, sticks, fingers, and toes, and so on. Hence, the early computers were designed to serve as a calculator to solve complex mathematical and engineering problems. However, with the advent of electronic and digital technologies, computers are now being used to perform other tasks apart from solving mathematical problems. This development gave rise to exponential application of computers in virtually all arear of human endeavor.”
Presenting the lecturer, the Chair at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji described Professor Oluwadare as an accomplished academic who has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge in addition to churning out great minds in his field of study. She expressed her confidence that his lecture will help in solving part of the challenges the country is currently facing, especially in the application of computer and allied products.
Peoplesmind
