The School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Inc. (IEEE), Nigeria Section successfully organized the 1st Symposium on Special Topics. The theme of the Symposium was Cyberspace and Emerging Cybersecurity Imperatives.The Mechatronics and Electrical/Electronic Engineering departments of the Federal University of Technology,Owerri (FUTO) partnered with SCIT to make the Symposium a huge success. This event took place on the 22nd of May, 2019 at the Forestry and Wildlife Auditorium, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Prof Gloria Chukwudebe, Pro tem Chair IEEE Africa Council and Dean, School of Computing and Information Technology, FUTO gave the welcome address while Professor Francis Eze, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri declared the event open through his representative, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, N. J. Okeudo. The Chair IEEE Nigeria Section who was represented at the event by the Vice-Chair, Prince Funso John Adebayo spoke eloquently about IEEE activities in Nigeria and upcoming events namely; the Skill-up HAC project, the PowerAfrica Conference and the Virtual conferences. Many FUTO Deans, Directors and professors participated actively in the Symposium.

Prof. Emmanuel U. Opara a guest speaker from Prairie View A & M University, Texas U.S.A presented on the topic: Straddling the Next Cyber Frontier. In his speech, he explained the trends in Cyber-Espionage, Network and Media Digital Forensics, Exploits, and Vulnerabilities.

The second guest speaker, Dr. Uche Mbanaso, the Executive Director of the Centre for Cyberspace Studies, Nasarawa State University presented an illuminating lecture on Emerging Careers in Cyberspace- the Next Workforce.

The event was preceded by a Pre-Symposium Workshop titled: Acing Your First Degree Research Project. In this Workshop, the audience was drilled on the best practices for carrying out first degree research projects. Dr. Ifeyinwa E. Achumba, the Head of EEE department, FUTO and the Secretary of IEEE Nigeria Section gave the keynote. Other presenters at the Workshop were: Dr. Stanley Okolie of Computer Science department, who drilled the audience on Project Defence. Reginald Ekene Ogu revealed the secrets of using Mendeley for referencing while Dr. Emmanuel Amadi of Information Technology department talked on the essentials of writing research project reports. Dr. Charles Ikerionwu of the same department explained plagiarism and how it can be avoided.  Dr. Kennedy Okafor of the Mechatronics department who is also the Treasurer of IEEE Nigeria Section presented on the benefits of publication of research results. The Symposium was attended by FUTO staff from various departments and over 800 undergraduate and postgraduate students.The head of Computer Science, Dr (Mrs) Euphemia Nwokorie and Head of Information Technology department, Engr Dr Obi Nwokonkwo gave goodwill messages at the close of the event.