GCTU Unveils “Royal de Robo” – A Symbol of Technological Excellence

August 1, 2023 Published by University Relations Directorate

The first ever robot built by the Engineering Faculty being unveiled by the VC, Prof Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa (right) and the Pro VC, Prof. Robert Ebo HInson

In a landmark event, the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), has unveiled its first ever robot, built entirely by the Engineering Faculty and students. The robot which is named “Royal de Robo” was unveiled on Friday, July 31, before an expectant university community.

The robot, built from recycled materials, serves as a representation of the university’s commitment to technological innovation and its vision of becoming the Centre of Excellence in ICT for Ghana and the West African sub-region.

The unveiling ceremony was graced by the university’s Management led by the Vice-Chancellor, who expressed his delight and commended the Faculty of Engineering for their exceptional work in creating the robot.

The Dean of Engineering Faculty, Dr. Ruhiya Abubakar said the robot embodies the spirit of creativity and innovation which are hallmarks of GCTU

Speaking at the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Ruhiya Abubakar, outlined the significance of the faculty in the ICT revolution that university is mandated to champion. She said the Telecommunications Engineering Department, aligns with the ‘C’ in ICT, because it is about communication. The ‘I’ and ‘T’ are aligned with the Computer Engineering Department, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics reside. Additionally, the Mathematics and Electricals and Electronics Engineering Departments play essential roles in shaping the foundation of the entire Engineering Faculty.

“We want you to know that this robot was built with our VC in mind, because he’s all about trying to make this university the Centre of Excellence in ICT”, Dr. Abubakar added.

Royal de Robo was built entirely from recycled material

Features of Royal de Robo

The robot’s design, built from recycled waste materials, showcases the university’s commitment to sustainability and innovative thinking.

It has the ability to sense people as they approach it and automatically start to advertise the Engineering Faculty’s programmes.

Royal de Robo is equipped with LED bulbs embedded in the recycled wooden support on which it sits and illuminates when the robot is powered. According to the Lab Technician, Gabriel Gidisu, this symbolizes the hidden potential that can come to light when given the opportunity.

The rotating diamond shaped object in the robot’s left hand depict the preciousness of the university to the faculty and its students and rotates to symbolize the constant evolution of the university and the continues search for excellence and innovation.

The robot also features an umbrella that automatically opens during rain, reflecting the university’s dedication to protect and support its students and faculty throughout their academic journey.

Royal de Robo

The Dean of the Engineering Faculty further explained that the robot was officially named “Royal de Robo” in honour of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, who holds a royal title and has shown great support for the faculty’s initiatives. The addition of the French word “de” celebrates the university’s multilingualism.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed his excitement over the faculty’s accomplishments and highlighted the university’s mission to become a technological hub not only for Ghana but also for the entire West African sub-region. He emphasized the significance of the faculty in achieving this goal and praised their efforts in driving technological advancements in the nation.

The Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, also applauded the faculty’s cutting-edge research and the development of the robot, noting that it aligns with the university’s mandate of research, teaching, and extension services. The robot’s potential to serve as an educational tool highlights the faculty’s commitment to training future technologists and researchers.

The VC is determined and committed to making GCTU the technological hub of Ghana and the West African Sub-Region

Newly Accredited Programmes

The Vice-Chancellor announced the accreditation of new programmes to strengthen the university’s position as a technological leader. Among the newly accredited programmes are Diploma, and BSc Cyber Security, MSC/MPhil and PhD Cyber Security, Diploma and BSc programmes in Computer Science, MSC/MPhil and PhD in Computer Science, as well as Diploma and BSc programmes in Data Science and Analytics, and Web Design and Applications.

“We have a clear vision of transforming GCTU into the Silicon Valley of Ghana and the West African sub-region. We’ll therefore, continue to strive hard, put ourselves together, build our infrastructure.” He added that the university aims to build a future where high-rise structures will spring up in within the next couple of years to accommodate staff, students, and the cutting-edge equipment.

The expectant University Community turned out in their numbers to witness the novelty

The event concluded on a note of gratitude from the Vice-Chancellor, who thanked the faculty and attendees for their support and active participation in realizing the university’s vision. He emphasized the significance of technology in shaping Ghana’s future and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to nurturing human capital development in ICT.