The FUTO Community marks another day to celebrate the pride in her people. And so it was on the 8th of July 2020. So, People gathered with the Vice-Chancellor as FUTO staff and a student group present intelligent Ventilator designs.
On this Thursday the 8th, two different teams presented two distinct designs of mechanical ventilators to the University Management team led by the Vice-Chancellor. One team comprise of university staff and the other team is University students. The students are the same team who initially presented a mobile device, SENTINEL, to manage the spread of COVID19. They also won an international award with their project company.
The Ventilator Mandate
These efforts are to combat the stubborn Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causing the recent pandemic. A virus that has created a situation which has ravaged economies and seemed unready to exit the global public health stage. According to the FUTO media team, the Management team, led by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. F. C. Eze assemble a cross-functional team to design and produce ventilators. The Vice-Chancellor gave the team all support and resources required to deliver on the mandates. Therefore, the team presented a successful project to the Vice-Chancellor and the University community that had faith in them.
Students ventilator design 
Staff ventilator design
The members of the team of staff are Engr. Prof. N. V. Ogueke, Engr. Dr. Godswill Nwaji, Engr. Boniface Okonkwo and Engr. Samuel Ehujuo who are of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics departments. The Team Leader, Engr. Prof. Ogueke made a presentation on behalf of the team. He also called their device a Quantum-Mechanical Ventilator. Nonetheless, there were challenges, he took time to describe the design as he highlights the parameters that made up their own product.
On the Other hand, the students’ team described that their product was designed with variable parameters for scalability. They attempted to ensure that the device is suitable for all kinds of individuals or patients. Some members of the team are Isaac Uchechukwu Edmund and Ebulue Ifeanyichukwu Henry of the Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE) Department. The students claim that the ventilator is digital, smart, portable, cost-effective, and rechargeable. So it can be carried around with ease especially during emergency situations. Additionally, other features of the device are indicators for oxygen volume level, inhale/exhale ratio, and breath per minute rate.
The Need, the Pride
The VC, Prof. Eze – having deeply commended the teams – ensured that the University would not relent in coming up with devices that are needed by the society, particularly at this period of health challenges. He equally talked about the compelling need for the University to produce more durable equipment. He said “we shall discover our limitations, to ensure we develop more ventilators with better quality and durability. So, we won’t stop at this.”
The whole of the FUTO Community; the University staff and Management, the students, graduates, and the Alumni members are proud to be associated with this news. Additionally, The HOD of the EEE Department and the Dean of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) – Engr. Dr. Mrs. I. E. Achumba and Engr. Prof. J. C. Ezeh, respectively – expressed delight over the performance of the two teams.
