The Data Science and Medical Image Analysis Training for Improved Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria has sponsored the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration fees for 40 secondary school students in Ekiti State.
The gesture formed part of a five-day training held in Ado Ekiti, designed to expose students to the application of data science, computing, and technology in medical diagnosis to enhance healthcare delivery.
Programme Manager, Mr. John Akintayo, said the beneficiaries were selected from 10 participating secondary schools. He explained that the initiative aimed to inspire students to pursue careers in medicine, science, and technology.
“Technologies such as data science and Artificial Intelligence can enhance the accuracy of drug prescriptions. Exposing secondary school students to such training can inspire them to pursue careers in medicine and other science-related fields,” Akintayo stated.
Prof. Benjamin Aribisala, Programme Director and Professor of Computer Science at Lagos State University, added that the initiative introduces students early to science and technology while demonstrating how data science, computing, and AI can improve healthcare delivery.
Although primarily targeted at Master’s and doctoral students, the programme was extended to secondary school students to stimulate early interest in digital technology.
The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health and involves collaboration among Lagos State University, University of Ibadan, Redeemer’s University, and University of Chicago.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, praised the programme and assured continued support for initiatives that improve residents’ well-being.
Similarly, Dr. Sunday Omoya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, and Mrs. Janet Akinyemi, Director in the Ministry of Education, described the initiative as beneficial to both students and the state.
Mrs. Olubunmi Ofi, Principal of Harding Memorial Model College, representing participating schools, noted that the training would broaden students’ knowledge and foster interest in data science, AI, medicine, and healthcare.
The event also featured the presentation of cash awards to the top three students in the post-test assessment: Emokpea Osagie Oluwasegun of David Oke College, Olawunmi Nifemi of Ekiti Government College, and Ayomiposi Ajayi of Harding Model College.
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