The College of Engineering (CoE) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has marked the World Engineering Day and Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) at 50 celebrations under the theme, ‘Building Back Wiser with a Focus on Women in Engineering’ on 4th March 2022 at Suame Intermediate Technology Transfer Unit (ITTU), Kumasi.
The programme saw Government officials, industry practitioners, business executives, students, and academics in attendance.
The aim of the celebrations was to provide an opportunity to celebrate the engineering profession and the contributions of the world’s engineers to a better and more sustainable world.
The Provost of College of Engineering, Professor Mark Adom-Asamoah in his address stated that KNUST strives to offer the best engineering education in Africa with a commitment to make the CoE, which runs eighteen undergraduate engineering programs a Centre of Excellence in Engineering Education.
Professor Adom-Asamoah stated that the TCC set up the ITTU at the Suame Magazine to reach out to the indigenous and creative community of practising artisans, technicians, technologists, and engineers with practical, but science-based solutions. The Centre, he said, pursues initiatives that enhance, strengthen, or complement the core functions of the academic departments.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame Constituency, Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, stated that no profession is as strongly linked to national development as the engineering profession. The MP commended the contribution TCC has played so far towards supporting and promoting engineering services and grassroots manufacturing. He revealed the GIZ’s proposal to create a state-of-the-art, high-tech automobile diagnostics centre to support the operation of the artisans. He promised his support as an MP to ensure its success.
According to the Minister, the role of women in engineering has been attracting considerable attention with more voices calling for an increase in the enrolment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. To accentuate women's involvement in engineering, the aim is to increase the visibility of engineering and its role in sustainable development to encourage female students to study engineering.
Touching on the intersection between engineering and trade, he called on KNUST to leverage on its engineering resources to support local industries and help them reposition themselves to take full advantage of the available opportunities.
The Secretary-General of the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO, Mrs. Ama Serwaa Nerquaye-Tetteh intimated that UNESCO recognises the efforts of Engineers in achieving the SDGs. However, the globe faces a shortage of engineers due to a lack of infrastructure in higher education and less interest to pursue engineering programs, especially, females. She thus called for the need to build an interest in engineering.
Following the celebration, the delegation dedicated 21st-century digital manufacturing facilities that will improve product quality, speed, and flexibility. The machinery's purpose is to maintain an effective presence among the craftsmen, allowing for the perfecting and transfer of technologies with the goal of fostering a continually improving degree of technology and expanded job prospects.
In a similar development, students from Opoku Ware School, Juaben Senior High School (SHS), St. Louis SHS, Yaa Asantewaa SHS, and KNUST SHS were educated about the various programs, cut-off points, and career options available in Engineering by the Provost and Faculty members. This was done to inspire young people to pursue engineering programs.
