Beyond the Classroom: How OOU Tech is Empowering Students Across Campuses
We sat down with Bello Jennifer, a 400-level Mathematics student and the current team lead of OOU Tech, to discuss the community's journey, its impact, and its exciting plans for the future.
The Humble Beginnings
"OOU Tech has been around for about four to five years now," Jennifer begins. "It started with a group of passionate students in Ibogun who wanted to help their peers break into tech. It wasn’t as popular back then, but the idea was simple: to guide and support fellow students in their tech journey."
The university's multi-campus system posed a challenge, but it also became an opportunity. As the community gained traction, they expanded to the Ago-Iwoye and Ayetoro campuses, appointing campus leads and sub-community managers to ensure smooth coordination.
From Learner to Leader
Jennifer's story is one of passion and progression. "I was already into tech before coming to OOU," she explains. "So when I saw the opportunity to join the community as a manager, I jumped in. That opened the door to becoming team lead."
Under her leadership, OOU Tech has flourished. The community now boasts a team of 10 to 13 active members, including sub-community managers dedicated to different tech niches like software development, cybersecurity, graphics design, product design, and more.
Training the Next Generation
One of the community's standout initiatives is its free three-month training program, open not only to OOU students but also to learners from other institutions. Participants are introduced to a variety of tech domains, from IoT and embedded systems to video editing and data analysis.
"We wanted to make tech accessible for everyone," says Jennifer. "We start from the basics, using tools like CapCut for video editing before moving on to more advanced options like Adobe Premiere Pro."
Embracing AI and Innovation
In late 2024, the community struck a partnership with a generative AI company, enabling students to learn how to create AI-generated images and videos. "We saw how fast AI was growing and wanted our members to be part of that wave," Jennifer shares.
The AI course is one of many initiatives that show OOU Tech’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends. With each project, the community cements its role as a bridge between academic life and real-world innovation.
A Seat at the Table
The university administration is not just watching from the sidelines. According to Jennifer, the Vice-Chancellor receives regular reports from the community and has shown strong support. This backing recently led to the renovation and accreditation of the university's ICT hub, with OOU Tech playing a key role in its transformation.
"I’d say we were the backbone of the ICT hub renovation," she notes proudly. "We submitted all our milestones and achievements, and they recognized the value."
Looking Ahead
Jennifer and her team have big dreams. In 2025, they aim to attend hackathons and other tech competitions as a unified OOU Tech team, showcasing the talent brewing within the university.
"We want to put OOU on the map," she says. "We have the skills, the passion, and now, the platform. It’s time to let the world know."
How to Join
For students interested in becoming part of this dynamic community, joining is just a click away. Head over to their Twitter page (@OOU_Tech) or LinkedIn, follow the link in their bio, and complete the membership form. New members are added to the WhatsApp group, where all activities are announced and coordinated.
Final Thoughts
OOU Tech isn’t just a community; it's a movement. It proves that innovation can thrive anywhere, even in the lecture halls of a university, and that the future of tech might just be sitting next to you in class.
With leaders like Bello Jennifer at the helm, the possibilities are limitless.
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