The Ghana Engineering Students Association (GESA), in partnership with the KNUST College of Engineering, marked World Engineering Day 2026 with an impactful outreach to students at Ejisu Senior High Technical School and KNUST Junior High School. Under the theme " Engineering the Future: Responsibility, Innovation and Impact," the event sought to ignite young learners' interest in engineering and showcase the profession's role in shaping the world around us.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Kwame Oteng Gyasi, Senior Lecturer in Telecommunication Engineering, explained the purpose behind the outreach. "We are here to showcase engineering, what engineers do, and to show these young minds how they can transition into this exciting field," he said. Dr Gyasi encouraged students to actively participate in the day's activities, including virtual reality demonstrations, and to engage freely with the team.
Noah Akakpo, a third-year Geological Engineering student, kicked off the interactive session by demystifying engineering for the enthusiastic audience. He illustrated how engineers are behind the aeroplanes we fly in, the phones we use daily, and the apps we rely on. "If you are passionate about buildings and technology, then engineering is the field to be in," Akakpo urged. He went on to introduce the wide array of disciplines available, including Agricultural, Petrochemical, Materials, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Civil, Geomatic, Geological, Petroleum, Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Telecommunication, Automobile, Industrial, Marine, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering.
The concept of virtual reality (VR) was brought to life by Emmanuel Nana Kofi Oppong, a second-year Computer Engineering student. He explained VR as a technology that uses sight and sound to create an immersive, real-life experience. Citing applications in fields like piloting and biomedical engineering, Oppong helped students understand how engineers are pushing the boundaries of innovation.
The highlight of the session came as students eagerly took turns exploring the VR setup, experiencing firsthand the potential of engineering technologies.
In his closing remarks, Owusu Oheneba Kwaku, Vice President of GESA and a fourth-year Chemical Engineering student, reminded the students that engineering is woven into the fabric of everyday life. "From the moment you wake up to the time you sleep, engineering is at work," he noted. Looking directly at the young participants, he added, "You are the future engineers. The world is waiting for your ideas."
