ABUAD Students Begin Advanced Training in China

By Our Reporter

ADO‑EKITI—Thirty‑seven engineering students from Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado‑Ekiti have begun an intensive international practical training programme in Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Intelligent Control Technology at Zhejiang Polytechnic University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (ZUME) in Hangzhou, China.

This development represents a significant milestone in ABUAD’s internationalisation strategy, which seeks to expose students to global best practices, emerging technologies and industry‑driven learning experiences.

Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde said the programme reflects the vision of ABUAD founder and chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, to build a world‑class institution capable of producing graduates who are competitive on a global scale.

She added that the initiative is part of the university’s deliberate effort to prepare students for leadership roles in an increasingly technology‑driven world.

Olarinde explained that the training programme emerged from strategic engagements between ABUAD and leading Chinese institutions, including ZUME and the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology (SIIT).

She noted that visits by ABUAD officials to these institutions in 2024 culminated in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in March 2026, paving the way for the current student exchange and training programme.

“The visits were purposeful engagements driven by our determination to expose ABUAD students to global best practices in Engineering, Innovation, Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Intelligent Control Technology,” she said.

The Vice‑Chancellor emphasised that the collaboration goes beyond academic exchange, describing it as a practical model that blends classroom learning with real‑world industrial exposure.

Prior to their departure for China, the students completed a three‑month theoretical training programme at ABUAD to prepare them academically, professionally and culturally for the international experience. She said the university also developed a structured curriculum to ensure a seamless integration of theoretical knowledge with practical industrial training.

According to Olarinde, the students are now engaged in advanced technological training within ZUME’s laboratories, lecture halls and industrial facilities, where they are exposed to technologies that are shaping the future of manufacturing and automation.

She added that the programme demonstrates ABUAD’s commitment to experiential learning and to global partnerships that can enhance the quality of its graduates.

“The future belongs to institutions willing to prepare students not only for today’s realities but also for tomorrow’s possibilities,” she said.

The Vice‑Chancellor disclosed that the Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Moses Onibonje, and Associate Professor Dr. Princess Imhade Okokpuje are also in China to provide mentorship, academic guidance and institutional support for the students throughout the programme.

She expressed confidence that the students will distinguish themselves as worthy ambassadors of ABUAD and Nigeria while gaining valuable international exposure.

Olarinde described the initiative as evidence that quality education can transcend national boundaries and create opportunities for students to compete globally.

She said the university will continue to pursue strategic international partnerships aimed at strengthening innovation, research and human capital development.

According to her, the ABUAD‑ZUME partnership reflects the institution’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and global perspective required to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.