Doha, Qatar – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vertex Labs, a technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation specialist based in Doha, State of Qatar, for the establishment, development, and operation of an Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing at a new campus.

The technology infrastructure and academic partnership agreement follows extensive consultations, culminating in the finalisation of a comprehensive framework for the proposed institute.

The ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michael Okolie, expressed confidence in the agreement, describing the university’s position in the Memorandum as its finalised position for the partnership.
According to the Director of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), ESUT, Dr. Egwuagu Onyekachi, “the decision to locate the South-East Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Security at ESUT followed a rigorous merit-based assessment process conducted by TETFund.”

As part of its national initiative to establish Centres of Excellence focused on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Coding, Machine Learning, and Cyber Security across the country’s six geopolitical zones, TETFund designated one institution in each zone to host the programme. ESUT was selected to serve as the South-East Centre.

The university’s selection was influenced by several factors, including its status as one of Nigeria’s first-generation state-owned universities and the country’s first University of Science and Technology. The institution’s existing technical capacity, infrastructure, and readiness to commence operations also contributed significantly to its emergence as the preferred host.

A committee established by TETFund for the assessment of prospective host institutions visited ESUT twice in 2025 to evaluate its facilities and technical capabilities. The committee inspected the university’s infrastructure, including the Digital Bridge Institute, which is designated to house the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Cyber Security Sciences.

Following its assessments, the committee submitted a favourable report, leading to ESUT’s selection as the host institution for the South-East zone.”

Other institutions selected through the same merit-based process include Gombe State University for the North-East, Federal University Lokoja for the North-Central zone, the Nigerian Defence Academy for the North-West, the University of Calabar for the South-South, and Lagos State University for the South-West.

According to the Director of Innovation at Vertex Labs, Chekwube Eneje, “at the planned new campus, Artificial Intelligence will be integrated and applied in the teaching and learning of all courses taught at the institute, including Health, Law, Business, Engineering, Medicine, Journalism, and others.”

Earlier, as part of its engagements in Qatar, the ESUT delegation undertook strategic visits to Qatar University and the Meeza Data Centre to explore partnerships that will support the university’s technological transformation agenda and strengthen its capacity for research, innovation, and digital infrastructure development.

At Qatar University, one of the region’s leading institutions for research, innovation, and higher education, the delegation held discussions on potential areas of collaboration, particularly in relation to ESUT’s vision of establishing a world-class Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation.

The Vice President for Research and Innovation at Qatar University, Dr. Ayman Arbid, expressed the institution’s willingness to collaborate and support the initiative. He noted that Qatar University is also expanding its AI programmes and emphasised that one of the key challenges in the development of artificial intelligence globally is the availability of highly skilled talent.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius Okolie, stated that the university’s objective is to improve graduate employability by equipping students with adaptable, future-ready skills aligned with emerging global technological trends.

Following the meeting at Qatar University, the delegation proceeded to the Meeza Data Centre, a leading technology partner and managed services provider supporting critical digital infrastructure across Qatar.

The delegation was received by the Senior Data Centre Manager, Mohammed Meraj Ali, who led a guided tour of the facility and showcased the advanced infrastructure that supports modern digital ecosystems, enterprise technology solutions, and innovation-driven institutions.

During the visit, officials of Meeza Group pledged support for the future development of ESUT’s proposed data centre through consultancy services, design, construction, rack and hardware supply, and data lifecycle management solutions. The company reaffirmed its commitment to building a long-term and sustainable partnership with the university.

Professor Okolie commended the Government of Enugu State for its commitment to innovation, infrastructure development, and economic transformation, noting that the state’s development agenda is creating an enabling environment for investment, technology adoption, and knowledge-driven growth.

Meeza officials also highlighted the company’s successful partnership model with Qatar Foundation, explaining that its approach is founded on long-term collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable institutional development rather than short-term engagements.

Speaking on the importance of digital infrastructure, Meeza’s Sales Director, Alaa Ayad, emphasised the sovereignty, security, and operational control institutions gain from owning dedicated data centres rather than relying exclusively on public cloud platforms. He further noted that the company works with leading international technology partners and remains open to strategic collaborations that advance innovation and digital transformation.

The engagements with Qatar University and Meeza represent important milestones in ESUT’s ambition to develop a world-class ecosystem for artificial intelligence, innovation, advanced computing, and digital research.

The university delegation is expected to consolidate the outcomes of the visit and present recommendations that will support the advancement of technology-driven education, cutting-edge research, and digital infrastructure development in Enugu State upon its return to Nigeria.

The signing of the MoU with Vertex Labs and the positive engagements held with notable institutions in Qatar mark a major step forward in ESUT’s vision of becoming a leading centre of excellence in artificial intelligence, advanced computing, innovation, and technology-driven learning in Nigeria.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Determined to promote teaching efficiency, effective assimilation for the good of the staff and students, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is partnering with a United Kingdom-based university, Lancaster University in order to enhance experiential learning.

This was on the table when the management team of Lancaster University visited their ESUT counterparts at the Agbani campus of the university on Wednesday, last week

The Lancaster University delegate was led by the Director of International Research, Prof Kirk Semple who had with him the Director of African Studies, Dr. Akanimo Odon.

The meeting which took place in the VC’s office saw both management teams interact on areas of mutual collaboration with a view to promoting teaching and learning with practical knowledge so as to help the staff better be equipped and offer the students the needed skills to face the larger society after graduation.

The Lancaster University team was introduced by Dr Okwuchukwu Ani, ESUT Coordinator of FCDO, SSETS and ICCP projects of the university.

In his introduction, Dr Ani said the visit by the UK varsity is to collaborate with ESUT in delivering experiential learning through intensive and impactful training in career enhancement and enterprise development for both staff and students in two key programmes.

He noted that ESUT is among the 14 universities in Nigeria selected for the two programmes which include “Stimulating Sustainable Entrepreneurial Thinking (SSETS) for all academic staff and International Career Coaching Programme (ICCP) for all students.

He appraised the just concluded pilot programme for ESUT staff and students as highly impactful stressing that as much as entrepreneurial thinking skills have been inculcated on ESUT staff and students

Dr. Ani appreciated Lancaster University for choosing ESUT as a hub for the pilot phase.

Participants during the pilot programme were trained on the strategies of effective collaborative network and partnership with other professionals from other disciplines, other Nigerian universities and colleagues from other universities globally.

Lecturers were taught on how to activate and increase activities on their LinkedIn social media accounts to enhance their global visibility for possible impactful collaborations and research partnerships. Students in ICCP were taught how to package a wonderful curriculum vitae, how to build the CV while on campus by rendering volunteer services to their lecturers. Students were also educated on how to enhance their Curriculum Vitae even while on campus by joining in volunteers services

In his remark, the Director of International Research, Lancaster University, Prof Kirk Semple appreciated the VC and ESUT for embracing the FCDO programme. He informed the management that Lancaster University was ready to go into extended partnership with ESUT for the delivery of the needed and relevant practical training of ESUT staff and students on career enhancement and entrepreneurial thinking.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor, ESUT, Professor Aloysius Michaels Okolie commended Dr Okwuchukw Ani for his foresight in bringing the Lancaster University to ESUT. He described the collaboration as a catalyst to technological and entrepreneurial path.  

“First and foremost, let me start by thanking Dr Ani for thinking home. For keying into the vision of the management in enhancing staff and students welfare in learning. To our August visitors and partners from Lancaster University in UK, you are welcome to ESUT. Your visit here highlights the importance of collaboration and partnership in promoting education across the globe and I want to assure you that you are in the right place.

“At ESUT, career development is critical both for the staff and students and we are channeling resources in this regard. Therefore, this collaboration on experiential learning is not just timely but very critical as it will help us in championing effective and all-round education for the students which is in line with the State Government’s vision of ensuring that all tertiary institutions in Enugu State embrace experiential learning to foster employability of the graduates of higher institutions in the state,” the VC said.  

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