The Mechatronics Engineering Department in Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna was conceived in 2010 as one of the Departments in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The Department was officially granted take off approval during the 2014/2015 academic session after passing through series of accreditation by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC). The first set of students were admitted to the department during the 2015/2016 academic session.
Mechatronics refers to the efficient and effective integration of mechanical systems and electronics. It is a blend of mechanics and electronics and has come to mean the synergistic use of precision engineering, control theory, computer science, mathematics and sensor technology, to design enhanced or “smart” products, processes and systems. Mechatronics Engineering as an academic discipline combines elements of electrical engineering, computer Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Control Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer science.
The of Department of Mechatronics Engineering (DOME) at Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna was first conceived in 2010 as one of the Departments in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET).
In August 2014, the department hosted a Team of professors headed by Prof. Peter Aiyedum from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC). To impact equipment supplied to the university on Mechatronics Engineering and assess the readiness of the institution to start the programme, a follow-up in September, 2014 the Department hosted another team of assessors from the NUC, this time for the resource accreditation towards the official take-off of the department in the university.
Finally, in October 2014, the university was given the final nod by the regulating body NUC, to start the department effective from 2014/2015 academic session for bachelor’s degree in engineering only. In February 2016, the Department hosted a team of assessors from the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for resource verification. This visitation, a mandatory requirement for the establishment of any Engineering Programme in Nigeria, was a success. Consequently, the University got COREN’s approval to commence the Mechatronics Engineering course for a period of two years spanning February 2016 to February 2018.
The DOME officially came into being during the 2014/2015 Academic Session after passing through all the accreditation exercises and visitation panels from the Nigerian Universities Commission and that Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Consequently, the first set of students into the Department were admitted during the 2015/2016 academic session.
Vision
To harness all available human and material resources to provide high quality Mechatronics Engineering goods and services for the Nigerian community through quality training and research.
Mission
The department will harness all available human and material resources in providing high quality mechatronics engineering goods and services for the Nigerian community through quality training of students, qualitative research and entrepreneurship skills for self-reliant and self-sustaining economy.
Engr. Prof. Jonathan Gana Kolo received Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) Degree in Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Masters of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Lagos, Lagos; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree from The University of Nottingham. He is a Registered Engineer with the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and a Corporate Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Prof. Kolo is currently the Head of Mechatronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Minna where he has being since 1995. He has been involved in teaching, community service and research. His wealth of experience in teaching, community service and research spanned over 27 years at both Postgraduate and undergraduate levels. His research interests are majorly in the areas of Wireless Sensor Networks, Embedded Systems, Electronics, Digital Signal Processing, Intelligent Systems, Digital Image processing and Communication Engineering. His Research results are published in several peer- reviewed papers.
Prof. Kolo has won awards both at the national and international levels including Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Scholarship Award of the Federal Government of Nigeria – to undertake doctoral study at the University of Nottingham; TETFUND Institution-Based Research Intervention (IBRI) Fund Award; MISTI (MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives) Africa Empowering the Teachers (ETT) Fellowship of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, spent a semester at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he observed and experienced a hands-on problem-solving and student-centred approach to teaching inspired by equivalent courses at MIT. He learnt not only about teaching concepts (mode & dynamics of curricula development and content delivery) in compelling ways, but also ways he can encourage students to be entrepreneurs. During his MIT semester, he develops his skills in curriculum design, instruction, leadership, and research. The experience was intense, but highly rewarding.
Prof. Kolo has served in several committees within and outside the University community. He has also served as External Examiner to some Universities and Polytechnics running Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering programmes in Nigeria. He has supervised several Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees’ theses.
The objectives of the B.Tech.Eng. Programme in Mechatronics Engineering are:
The areas of specialization in the Mechatronics Engineering Department are as follows:
The rapid pace of change in the computing field has necessitated the need for Mechatronics engineers to be life-long learners so as to maintain their knowledge and skills within their chosen area of specialization. An important distinction should be made between Mechatronics engineers, electrical engineers, other computer professionals, and engineering technologists. While such distinctions are sometimes ambiguous, Mechatronics engineers generally should satisfy the following three characteristics:
Students graduating from the department shall be strongly equipped to seek careers at:
The program will develop the graduates in competence and skills in the various components of Mechatronics Engineering profession, these include:
There are two modes of admission into the bachelor’s degree Mechatronics Engineering Programme at FUT Minna. These are: The UTME mode and The Direct Entry (DE) mode. Admission requirements for the two modes are presented herewith.
The Programme workload for students includes combination of the conventional formal university lectures; tutorials; practical sessions; laboratory work, seminars and project. Furthermore, periodically at 200, 300, 400 and 500 levels, Mechatronics Engineering students will go on excursion to industries that deploys Mechatronics, automation and ICT in their operations, for industrial experience. At 500 level, students are expected to carry out independent project in their areas of specialization.
Mechatronics Engineering students will be evaluated through:
The Bachelor of Engineering Programme in Mechatronics Engineering is normally a five-year Programme (100-500 levels). However, direct entry candidates normally spend four years (A’ level, and OND Candidates) or three years (HND candidates).
The Programme is structured in such a way that all engineering students offer the same basic courses at 100 and 200 levels in order to prepare them for the Engineering profession. The 300 to 500 level courses are more detailed and focus towards training in Mechatronics Engineering.
A student cannot stay beyond one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the normal duration of the Programme (i.e. 7.5, 6 and 4.5 sessions for 5, 4 and 3 year Programme respectively).
The underlisted are list of researches won by the department in collaboration with other National and International Partners.
The department held a series of student development programmes to mark the graduation of the first set of students. The major programmes are as follows:
As part of activities to mark the graduation of the first set of students, the department in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence for Clean Energy Project organized the first-ever career talk in the School of Electrical Engineering and Technology and the department. The 2-day event had in attendance captains of industries, seasoned Human Resource Managers, and Alumni of the University from different works of life. The cross-sectional pictures of the event and flyers are as depicted.
In addition to the Career Talk, the department also organized the first-ever Research Project Poster Exhibition in the University. The project exhibition was organized in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence for Clean Energy Project. Invitation for participation was open to all departments in the University and to all Final Year Project students of the 2019/2020 academic session. The event was graced by very senior faculty members from the School of Electrical Engineering and Technology (SEET), School of Infrastructure, Process Engineering and Technology (SIPET), School of Information Communication Technology (SICT). At the end of the event, medals of awards were presented to winners in three different categories namely: 7 Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals, and 9 Bronze Medals.
In order to prepare the students for the task of research and development, the department held a 1-week long proposal development seminar for students in the department with special emphasis on the final year students. The synopsis of the seminar includes but is not limited to problem definition, objectives formation, research gap identification, literature review, methodology, and writing skills.
The National Association of Mechatronics Engineering Students (NATMES) also held the first-ever conference with the theme “Your Journey into Technoprenuership”. The event was the first to be organized by the student body. Furthermore, the student also held an online webinar on the future of 3D printing. The flyers of the event are as depicted below.
The Exhibition Room.
The Mechatronics Engineering Exhibition Room is the first exhibition room in Federal University of Technology Minna. It attracts over 200 visitors this year ranging from students of this University and other Universities, University Management Officials, University visitors, Military personnel, GIZ Executives, US diplomals, and many others. Some highlight of visitors to the exhibition room are follows:
The University Management Team, the PRO, US Embassy at the DOME ER
Visit of the Representative of the Commander, Defence Research Board at the DOME ER
Visit of Students from Nestle Technical Training Centre Abaji to the Exhibition Room
As part of her Cooperate Social Responsibility, the department in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence for Clean Energy Project organized a 2 Day Training session for over 50 youths in Agaie Emirate Council on the Fundamentals of Renewable Energy. The event was graced by the Emir of Agaie, HRH Dr. YUSUF Nuhu.
Dr K. E. Jack also presented the investiture lecture of the 2nd chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Ikot Ekpene Branch, Akwa Ibom State.
Dr K. E. Jack also presented the lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikot Ekpene Branch, Held at Ritman University Akwa Ibom State
Recent Awards of the Department.
