Keynote Speakers | True Scholar

Prof. William C. Kyle, Jr
E. Desmond Lee Family. Professor of Science Education
University of Missouri – St. Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499 USA

Professor Kyle is the E. Desmond Lee Family Professor of Science Education at the University of Missouri -St. Louis (USA). His work focuses on the socio-cultural, political, and economic issues associated with schooling and the prospects for equity. The goals of such initiatives are oriented toward enhancing students’ scientific literacy, preparing students for life in a critical democracy, self-and social empowerment, and social transformation. Most recently, he collaborated on Project SUSTAIN, a venture amongst researchers and communities in South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Norway and the US,with a focus upon generating knowledge and research methodologies oriented toward exploring and promoting access to a socially responsible science, mathematics, and technology education.His present interests focus upon reorienting schooling to address education for sustainable development by drawing upon the 15 Global Challenges Facing Humanity and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Globally, optimism exists for substantial gains toward addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, Professor Kyle asks where are the voices of educators? Why such silence? He offers a vision and challenge for educators.

Professor Kyle’s professional contributions have been recognized through his selection in 1980 as the author of the manuscript judged to be the most significant contribution to the Journal of Research in Science Teaching (JRST); in 1981 he received the National Science Teachers Association’s Gustav Ohaus Award for Innovations in College Science Teaching; in 1982 he was the recipient of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching’s Patron Award for the research report judged to have the greatest significance and potential in the field of science education; and in 1990 the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science recognized him as the Outstanding Science Educator of the Year. He served as Editor of Journal of Research in Science Teaching(January 1994 through May 1999), the official journal of NARST – A global organization for improving science education through research). In 2003, he was recognized by NARST as having been the co-author of one of the 13 most influential articles published in JRST during its first 40 years (1963-2003). Professor Kyle served as the Executive Director of NARST from 2007 through 2018.

Prof. Ayodeji, S.P., Jr
Professor of Machine & Process Design and Applied Ergonomics
Federal University of Technology,
Akure, Nigeria

Prof. Ayodeji S. P. is a joint winner of the prestigious 2022 Nigeria Prize for Science award by Nigeria LNG Limited with reference number NLNG/ER/ERP/2022/9/289 on the Development of a Process Plant for Plantain Flour. He had three (3) inventions patented in Nigeria.He lead the team that developed the prototype of a positive pressure ventilator for FUTA as part of contributions to the fight against COVID-19 in 2020 which was published in two national dailies (Tribune page 5 and The Nation page 2) on Wednesday 3 June, 2020. He is a member of International Association of Engineers(MEMBER); Council For The Regulation Of Engineering In Nigeria (COREN);Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers(MNIMECH); Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE); Materials Society of Nigeria (MMSN);and Nigerian Institution of Engineering

Engr. Prof. Ayodeji joined the services of Federal University of Technology, Akure over two decades ago and has since then been continuously engaged in teaching, research and community service. He had also demonstrated administrative leadership in the University over the years, having creditably served at several capacities such as: Departmental Examination Officer, Postgraduate coordinator, member of the University Postgraduate Board, Sub-Dean (PGD) for School of Postgraduate Studies, member of Business Committee of Senate, member of senate and pioneer Head of Department of Industrial and Production Engineering. He was the Editor in Chief of FUTA Journal of Engineering and Engineering Technology for four years and Chairman Local Organizing Committee for School of Engineering and Engineering Technology Annual Conference, FUTA. He served as a member of 40th Anniversary Alumni Industrial Linkage Publicity Task Force and currently serving as a Member of FUTA-NASENI Memorandum of Understanding Implementation Committee. He had served and still serving as a reviewer to several journals both within and outside the country. He is currently the Dean, College of Engineering and Technology, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State as a Visiting Professor and was recently inaugurated as the Squadron Leader of Special Road Traffic Mayors by the Ondo State Government.

He had won a number of research grants and awards to his credit such as 2023 AGIP Research Grant for Establishing Centre for Maintenance Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State (awaiting implementation); Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Research Grants Intervention, 2017; International Development Association towards the course of Science and Technology Education Post Basic Project (STEP-B) Research Grant award, 2008; and University Research Grant of The Federal University of Technology, Akure, 2007.