Today, human computing needs have progressed beyond the automation of manual tasks to the evolution of smart software systems that exhibit intrinsic intelligent attributes such as personalisation, context-awareness, natural language understanding, self-adaptation, automated reasoning, autonomy, and other computationally-induced intelligent behaviours that make them relevant for solving real world problems. Smart software systems are required in virtually all fields of application ranging from business, commerce, engineering, science, arts medicine and much more. This brand of smart software systems can only be realised when innovative problem-solving concepts and technologies from the fields of artificial intelligence, mathematical modelling and systems simulation are integrated into the software development processes to produce intelligent software systems.

The   Software Engineering, Modelling and Intelligent Systems (SEMIS) Cluster shall focus on research that will produce lasting and significant improvements in the lives of Nigerians and Africans in general. In the pursuit of this commitment, the research cluster shall engage in innovative interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary research endeavours in order to solve practical problems in the less-developed and developing nations of the world.  The key thematic areas of research interests of SEMIS include e-Governance, e-Empowerment, e-Health, e-Education, e-Tourism, cloud computing, data mining, machine learning, mobile computing, business portfolio management, business mathematics. The SEMIS Cluster will also engage in basic research in the core fields of software engineering, artificial intelligence, information systems, and mathematical sciences.

The overarching goal of the SEMIS Cluster is to leverage on the plausible combination of key subject fields of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and mathematical modelling in tackling real world problems that will yield ground-breaking research outputs, patents and intellectual property rights, viable commercial products, and high-impact academic publications. By this, the SEMIS Cluster will make significant contribution to national development, and the attainment of vision 10:2022 of Covenant University.

The objectives of the SEMIS Cluster are the followings:

• To advance research in relevant topical areas such as: Cloud Computing, Grid/Utility Computing, Service Oriented Computing, Software Product Lines, Wireless senor/ networks, Software Processes and Development, Management Information Systems, mathematical modelling, financial mathematics, and Intelligent Systems.
• To facilitate research-based E-empowerment initiatives that will enable SMMEs to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as mobile computing and cloud computing as core business drivers for increased profit, human capital development and wealth creation.
• To conduct research investigations and promote technology-oriented initiatives that will offer improved health care delivery, education, business and governance through inquiries into technological issues in these areas.
• To conduct research investigations on the provision of support tools and frameworks for improved service delivery by both the public and private institutions.
• To commit to training and mentorship of young researchers and postgraduate students in the quest to raise future academic leaders
• To engage the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives for enhanced impact on the community both at the local and national levels.
• To create a vibrant community of scholars and researchers in the fields of software engineering, mathematical modelling and artificial intelligence by organising conferences and workshops regularly.
• To identify and collaborate with other world-leading research institutes, research groups, and organisations, in order to make greater impact.

In order to maximise the wide spectrum of research expertise and accommodate the diverse interests that exist within the SEMIS Cluster, it is organised as a compound structure that consists of four subgroups. The subgroups are 1) Mobile Software and e-Computing (MSeC); 2) Intelligent Software Systems and Applications (ISSA); 3) Information Systems and Business Informatics (ISBI); and 4) Mathematical Modelling and Informatics (MMI). The subgroups have the latitude to operate independently while in pursuit of narrow or discipline-specific research goals, and also synergistically in the pursuit of more expansive research goals that would require interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary engagements. An overview of the organisational structure of the SEMIS Cluster is presented in Figure 1, while the membership of the subgroups is presented next.

• Nicholas Omoregbe (Head)
• Sanjay Misra
• Victor Mathew
• Ambrose Azeta
• Olufemi Oyelami
• Adewole Adewumi
• Oboyerulu Agboje
• Samuel John
• Marcus Samuel
• Oluranti Jonathan

• Olawande Daramola (Head) – CIS?
• Olufunke Oladipupo – CIS
• Ibidapo Akinyemi – CIS
• Ibukun Afolabi – CIS
• Onyeka Emebo – CIS
• Azubike Ezenwoke – CIS?
• Ibukun Eweoya – CIS
• Babafemi Odusote – CIS
• Folake Oluwagbemi – CIS
• Francis Idachaba (EIE)
• Emmanuel Adetiba (EIE)
• Henry Okodua (Economics)
• Power Wogu (Pyschology)
• Ademola Olopade (CSIS)

• Charles Ayo
• Ariyo Adebiyi (Acting Head)
• Oni Omogbadegun
• Aderonke Oni
• Senarita Okuboyejo
• Abiola Babajide

• Timothy Anake (Head)
• Sheila Bishop
• Michael Agarana
• Alfred Owoloko?
• Oluwole Odetunmibi
• Kelechi Eke
• Olasunmbo Agboola
• Godwin Oghonyon

Mr. Omotayo Adeleke

• Commit to training and mentoring of young researchers at the masters and doctoral degree levels
• Conduct field survey researches that are aimed at evaluating quality of technology adoption, usage, and impact
• Conduct implementation-based research that is aimed at developing useful software tools and solutions in practical areas. This should lead to commercial products, patents and intellectual rights
• Conduct basic research in the thematic areas of interest of the Cluster in order to extend the frontiers of knowledge
• Engage in consultancy and knowledge transfer activities that will culminate in turning research ideas into value-added services and products for the benefit of the larger society.
• Encourage first rate research endeavours that will lead to publications in high impact journals and influential publication outlets
• Create a community of research-active faculty within Covenant University and beyond.
• Facilitate increased university-industry collaboration by engaging in applied research activities.

The SEMIS cluster shall disseminate its research findings through the following channels:

• Annual Conference
• Biannual Journal Publication
• Research blogs and electronic newsletters
• Periodic book reviews, edited books, and book publications

The expertise of the SEMIS Cluster is further strengthened by a thriving network of international scholars and collaborators in different parts of the world. The list of researchers who have active collaborations with the SEMIS Cluster features:

• M. O Adigun, University of Zululand, South Africa
• Michael Adeyeye, CPUT, SA
• A. Ojo, UNU, Macao, China
• O. Longe, Adeleke University
• Prof V. Mbarika, Southern University, USA
• Prof O. Adewunmi, University of Kwazulu-Natal, SA
• Philip Adewoye, University of Lagos
• Prof E.O Ayoola, University of Ibadan
• Prof J. O. Olalero, University of Lagos

Prof J. Gbadeyan, University of Ilorin

The grant profile of SEMIS Cluster so far includes the following:

• Google CS4HS 2012 Award, $7,000 approved
• NCS Don Etiebet Software Innovative Award 2012.
• Covenant University Grant for the Development of an Automatic Speech Recognition for Customer Care Management ASR4CRM) Research: N1.57M Approved 2007
• Covenant University, Seed Grant for the Design and Development of Institutional Repository N0.65m Approved 2010.

There is need to find out if there are updates on the following information highlighted in red

• Development of a Unified Multimodal National Identity Card
• Design and Implementation of a Car Tracking System Simulator: A case study of Covenant University
• Development of an Anti-cultism Social Educational Media (ASEM) System for Nigerian Tertiary Institution: Web and Mobile.
• Development of an e-Opinion Poll System
• Implementing a Social Media-Based e-Learning System for the Developing Nations
• Development of Subject-based Auto grading System – (grant application in preparation)

Budget

GRAND TOTAL OF EXPECTED PUBLICATIONS — 60

Estimated Cost of Publication of 20 Journal articles @ $500 per paper = $10,000

Estimated Cost of implementing Software prototypes = $10,000

Estimated Cost of Conference Support for 18 Senior Faculty @ $2500 per Faculty = $45,000

Estimated Cost of Conference Support for 20 Other Faculty @ $1500 per Faculty $30,000

TOTAL COST = $95,000.00 == N15, 625,000.00

@ N165 per $

 This research cluster has been structured to bring together seasoned academics of like-minds to engage in quality, product-driven research and development. With a very robust network of local and international collaborators, the cluster shall engage in research activities aimed at making significant and indelible positive contributions to the academics, industry and entire community within the African region. Through innovative interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary research endeavours, contributions of this cluster shall proffer lasting solutions to indigenous problems in Nigeria and Africa.