EU Researchers Visit LASU to Promote Sustainable Software Engineering for Green Deal Project

On Friday, October 25, 2024, a distinguished delegation from the European Union (EU), consisting of prominent researchers from top European universities, visited Lagos State University (LASU) as part of their initiative to foster collaboration on the “Sustainable Software Engineering For Green Deal” project. This ambitious project aims to tackle pressing sustainability and environmental challenges by ensuring that software development practices align with eco-friendly principles.

The meeting was held in the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, situated on the 6th floor of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building. Leading the delegation, Prof. Benjamin Aribisala, Director of the Centre for Sargassum Research, emphasized the critical importance of incorporating sustainability principles into software engineering practices. “Our goal is to create a framework where software development not only meets functional requirements but also contributes positively to environmental sustainability,” he stated.

Mr. Mojeed Alabi, Chairman of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN), who accompanied the EU delegates, highlighted LASU’s potential as a prime collaborator in Nigeria. He expressed confidence that the university possesses the necessary resources and expertise to contribute significantly to the project. “We are here to demonstrate that LASU is the right institution for this partnership, which is pivotal for advancing sustainable practices in software engineering,” he remarked.

In her response, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, expressed her excitement regarding the proposed collaboration. She commended the EU delegation for their visionary initiative, underscoring LASU's commitment to supporting research that prioritizes sustainability. “We are eager to contribute to this vital project and look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will pave the way for more innovative research initiatives in the future,” she said.

The delegation was led by Prof. Jari Porras from Finland and included Associate Prof. Birgit Penzenstadler from Sweden, Associate Prof. Colin Venters from Ireland, and Dr. Shola Oyedeji. They are set to conduct workshops with LASU students, sharing valuable insights on the Green Deal and emphasizing the critical role of sustainability in software development.

The meeting was attended by key LASU officials, including Mr. Emmanuel A. FANU, University Registrar; Mr. Adekunle Adebeso, Deputy Bursar for Risk Insurance and Investment Management; Prof. Toyin Enikuomehin, Director of the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology; Dr. Lateef Sekoni, Deputy Registrar in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office; and Dr. Lateef Salami, Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor. Additional support came from Dr. Tola Ajagbe from the Department of Computer Science, along with members from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, the Centre for Information and Public Relations, and the University Multimedia Centre.

This collaboration between LASU and the EU delegation represents a significant step toward advancing sustainable practices in software engineering, fostering innovation that aligns with global environmental goals. As the university embraces this opportunity, it is poised to become a leader in integrating sustainability into technological development in Nigeria and beyond.