By Chinenye Anuforo
Awesome Height Academy has partnered with information and communication technology giant, New Horizons Nigeria, to deploy its first smart home automation devices and a security alarm system.
At the recent Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting, Great Height Academy Principal/Owner Hajia Rabi Namtari led parents and teachers to attend the presentation and inauguration of the projects undertaken by the students with 100% support from the IT Consultant – New Horizons.
Namtari applauded the girls for making the school proud and appreciated New Horizons for its unprecedented support since the partnership began several years ago.
Recall that Great Height Academy launched a state-of-the-art robotics and virtual reality lab in 2021 with New Horizons providing technical support.
PTA Chairman Alhaji Rabiu Umar Muhammad, who was impressed by the demonstration, said women showed up and matched men neck and neck in the fields of technology, engineering, science, etc He also appreciated New Horizons for its technical support for the school.
During the inspection by parents and teachers, the students took the time to explain the technologies behind the projects. Regarding smart home automation (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity), the students explained that the purpose of this project is to control all gadgets connected to a power source in the home/office using the mobile phone as a control of food.
The Wi-Fi version can be controlled anywhere in the world provided there is internet connectivity, while the Bluetooth version can only be controlled within 100 meters. Some parents have attempted to verify the students’ claim by testing the device. All the lights in the room were turned off from the wall but the volunteer parent used his phone to turn on all the lights as the students claim.
The advantage of this device is that in case you forgot to turn on/off your gadgets, even after leaving your home/office, you can still turn them on/off without necessarily being physically there.
On the security alarm system with call and text function: Given the high level of insecurity in Nigeria to date, the girls designed a device to secure the principal’s office and alert her in case breach of security or unauthorized access by triggering the system alarm and notify him by SMS or call regardless of his current location.
Again a relative was asked to try to enter the principal’s office without permission, suddenly there was an alarm and the principal instantly received an SMS alert and a picture of the intruder on his mobile device. The parents were visibly amazed and gave credit to the school and, more importantly, to the computer company New Horizons for training the students in the 4th Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as 4IR.
The 4IR is a fusion of advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering, quantum computing and more. At the beginning of the academic session, New Horizons introduced fashionable courses in the institution, among them 3D technology, robotics, automation, etc.
Some SS2 and SS3 students were selected and tasked with identifying a gap/need and using trendy computer technologies to solve the problem or close the ceiling. The students identified and proposed two projects (1) Smart Home Automation (WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity) and (2) Security Alarm System with call and SMS function.
It should be noted that all the components used for these projects were modeled and printed by the students of the school’s new robotics and virtual reality laboratory and that the applications used were also developed by them. This means that students have, on Over the years, they have been exposed to a myriad of ICT skills (coding/programming, 3D modeling and printing, application development) that have helped improve their problem-solving ability and ability to work in teams.
During the project lunch, the Managing Director of New Horizons Systems Solutions, Northern Region, Mr. Dave Abolagba urged parents to continue supporting their wards in bridging the technology gap between Nigeria and other advanced countries.