Oyinloye, Damilare Peter is the Google Ambassador of the Kwara State
University, the 400 level student of the Department of Computer Science
in this interview with Doyin Adeoye shares his passion for technology,
his motivations among other things.
Education background?
For my primary school education, I attended the Baptist Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) Primary School and Saint James LGEA Primary School, both in Ilorin, before I proceeded to Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, where I finished in 2006. I was admitted at Kwara State University when it started in 2009, into the Computer Science Department.
How did you become a Google Ambassador?
I came across it while surfing the internet and I applied and fortunately today, I am a Google Student Ambassador. It was not easy, as you have to prove to them why you are better than others who applied. So I submitted my CV and wrote two essays.
What was the criteria for application, was it just an essay?
The Student Ambassador Program is designed for enthusiastic and motivated students to represent Google at their universities and be Google’s voice on campuses. You have to be technologically driven and be interested in new technologies and opportunities.
How was the experience?
That what was the first time I visited Nairobi and it was fun. It was an avenue to meet most of the internet icons and also meet students from over 50 Universities across Africa. Their food, the culture and all, it was awesome.
How has the experience of being a Google ambassador been?
Being a Google Student Ambassador is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and it has indeed opened a new phase in my life. The exposure, the leadership experience and opportunities that flock around it has been tremendous. I was appointed as a campus Ambassador of INDIAFRICA initiative in December 2012. It is an India based enterprise supported by Lagos Business School and Association Internationale des Etudiants En Sciences Economiques et Commercials (AIESEC) in Nigeria, it means the International Economic and Commercial Sciences Students Association. And also in June 2012, two establishments appointed me as their campus representative and ambassador.
What are your responsibilities as a Google ambassador?
The duties of an ambassador vary, based on the business needs at Google. Year 2009 was largely focused on spreading use of Google Apps on campuses and bringing in top talent to fill our increased hiring needs. And I also organised a mapping exercise in October, to create a digital presence of the University on Google Maps. We joined over 100 Universities in Africa to celebrate Africa Map Up, which sole aim was to get Africa campuses online. Kwara State University is on Google Maps now and we are working day in, day out to update the structures and roads on our campus. Both the students and lecturers participated in this exercise.
Does being a Google Ambassador automatically make you an entrepreneur?
That is actually part of the benefits of the programme.
I started business in 2009 even before I gained admission. My first enterprise was registered with the Corporate Affairs commission (CAC) in 2008 and since then I have been part of so many startups which are doing fine today. I will rather say, being a Google Ambassador enhanced the entrepreneurship skill in me and gave me the right tool to explore beyond bounds.
What were you into prior your appointment as the Google Ambassador for the institution?
Aside my business, I worked with the Centre for Innovation and International Studies, Kwara State University for a year as a student employee and during this period I was the convener for a weekly international film series called the “Reelworld”.
I was also an executive in my departmental association, National Association of Computer science Students (NACOSS), I was precisely the Software director.
When is your Google ambassadorship expiring?
June 2013
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years, do you intend to still be with Google?
I see myself working as an instrument of change in Nigeria and of course Africa. I would love to work with other youths to solve societal problems in Nigeria and Africa. I see myself being an established entrepreneur and adding values to those around me and beyond. Being with Google in five years time depends on God.
Google is a nice place to work and it is actually what every young man will desire.
How do you intend to impart the institution with your status?
I have been disseminating information about scholarship opportunities, internship openings within and outside Nigeria, research grant for faculty members and conference grant for both students and faculty members on campus.
For my primary school education, I attended the Baptist Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) Primary School and Saint James LGEA Primary School, both in Ilorin, before I proceeded to Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, where I finished in 2006. I was admitted at Kwara State University when it started in 2009, into the Computer Science Department.
How did you become a Google Ambassador?
I came across it while surfing the internet and I applied and fortunately today, I am a Google Student Ambassador. It was not easy, as you have to prove to them why you are better than others who applied. So I submitted my CV and wrote two essays.
What was the criteria for application, was it just an essay?
The Student Ambassador Program is designed for enthusiastic and motivated students to represent Google at their universities and be Google’s voice on campuses. You have to be technologically driven and be interested in new technologies and opportunities.
How was the experience?
That what was the first time I visited Nairobi and it was fun. It was an avenue to meet most of the internet icons and also meet students from over 50 Universities across Africa. Their food, the culture and all, it was awesome.
How has the experience of being a Google ambassador been?
Being a Google Student Ambassador is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and it has indeed opened a new phase in my life. The exposure, the leadership experience and opportunities that flock around it has been tremendous. I was appointed as a campus Ambassador of INDIAFRICA initiative in December 2012. It is an India based enterprise supported by Lagos Business School and Association Internationale des Etudiants En Sciences Economiques et Commercials (AIESEC) in Nigeria, it means the International Economic and Commercial Sciences Students Association. And also in June 2012, two establishments appointed me as their campus representative and ambassador.
What are your responsibilities as a Google ambassador?
The duties of an ambassador vary, based on the business needs at Google. Year 2009 was largely focused on spreading use of Google Apps on campuses and bringing in top talent to fill our increased hiring needs. And I also organised a mapping exercise in October, to create a digital presence of the University on Google Maps. We joined over 100 Universities in Africa to celebrate Africa Map Up, which sole aim was to get Africa campuses online. Kwara State University is on Google Maps now and we are working day in, day out to update the structures and roads on our campus. Both the students and lecturers participated in this exercise.
Does being a Google Ambassador automatically make you an entrepreneur?
That is actually part of the benefits of the programme.
I started business in 2009 even before I gained admission. My first enterprise was registered with the Corporate Affairs commission (CAC) in 2008 and since then I have been part of so many startups which are doing fine today. I will rather say, being a Google Ambassador enhanced the entrepreneurship skill in me and gave me the right tool to explore beyond bounds.
What were you into prior your appointment as the Google Ambassador for the institution?
Aside my business, I worked with the Centre for Innovation and International Studies, Kwara State University for a year as a student employee and during this period I was the convener for a weekly international film series called the “Reelworld”.
I was also an executive in my departmental association, National Association of Computer science Students (NACOSS), I was precisely the Software director.
When is your Google ambassadorship expiring?
June 2013
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years, do you intend to still be with Google?
I see myself working as an instrument of change in Nigeria and of course Africa. I would love to work with other youths to solve societal problems in Nigeria and Africa. I see myself being an established entrepreneur and adding values to those around me and beyond. Being with Google in five years time depends on God.
Google is a nice place to work and it is actually what every young man will desire.
How do you intend to impart the institution with your status?
I have been disseminating information about scholarship opportunities, internship openings within and outside Nigeria, research grant for faculty members and conference grant for both students and faculty members on campus.
I started a club on campus last semester, which is KTD (KWASU
Technology Drivers). This club is meant to train and nurture students to
be great leaders, entrepreneurs and of course solution providers and to
also give them the right platform to grow considering the resources at
our disposal.
What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
I’m also a young entrepreneur, but I would advise others like me to believe in themselves and never be afraid of failing.
What could be done to influence students to be more involved in the advancement of technology?
The government and some of these big institutions and companies should fund research at undergraduate levels. Let there be encouragement for discoveries and successful researches.
What do you think should be done to improve the educational sector in Nigeria?
The only thing we can do is to go back to the beginning. Let them take us back to the era of Awolowo education, let them take us back to the time My president was in the University, let them take us back to the era where a student could confidently call for his examination scripts or papers without any aftermath effect, let them take us back to the time when teachers and lecturers were actually those who desire to teach or lecture, not just because there is no other job available.
What’s next after KWASU?
By God’s grace, next year February, I will start an indigenous international standard branding firm in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State with some of my friends. And I also hope to go into full time business and community service activities after school.
Your personal slogan?
We will all die. We don’t intend to live forever, but we intend to create something that will. I believe in leaving a legacy of productivity, a legacy of intellectual power for generations coming after us.
What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
I’m also a young entrepreneur, but I would advise others like me to believe in themselves and never be afraid of failing.
What could be done to influence students to be more involved in the advancement of technology?
The government and some of these big institutions and companies should fund research at undergraduate levels. Let there be encouragement for discoveries and successful researches.
What do you think should be done to improve the educational sector in Nigeria?
The only thing we can do is to go back to the beginning. Let them take us back to the era of Awolowo education, let them take us back to the time My president was in the University, let them take us back to the era where a student could confidently call for his examination scripts or papers without any aftermath effect, let them take us back to the time when teachers and lecturers were actually those who desire to teach or lecture, not just because there is no other job available.
What’s next after KWASU?
By God’s grace, next year February, I will start an indigenous international standard branding firm in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State with some of my friends. And I also hope to go into full time business and community service activities after school.
Your personal slogan?
We will all die. We don’t intend to live forever, but we intend to create something that will. I believe in leaving a legacy of productivity, a legacy of intellectual power for generations coming after us.
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