In collaboration with Sandvik, the Department of Materials Engineering organised a specialised training workshop for final-year Metallurgical Engineering students on January 29 and 30, 2025. The workshop focused on Plant Designer, an advanced engineering software developed by Sandvik for designing quarry and metallurgical processing plants. The Sandvik team, led by Mr. Hubert Kwesi Essel, was officially welcomed by Professor Emmanuel Gikunoo, Head of the Department of Materials Engineering, and Ing. Dr. Mrs. Bennetta Koomson, a senior lecturer and course instructor for Metallurgical Plant Design and Operations. In their remarks, they commended Sandvik for its commitment to student development. They highlighted the importance of industry-academic collaborations in bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical engineering applications.
The workshop commenced with an overview of plant design principles, delivered by Mr. Hubert Kwesi Essel. This session introduced students to fundamental concepts in industrial plant layout, efficiency considerations, and operational design. By providing this foundation, students were better prepared to understand the practical applications of the Plant Designer software. Following this, the Sandvik team guided students through the functionalities and applications of Plant Designer, demonstrating how engineers use the software to design and simulate plant layouts. The first day focused on interactive demonstrations, allowing students to observe best practices in plant design and optimisation.
On the second day, students engaged in hands-on exercises, where they applied theoretical knowledge to practically design and simulate plant layouts. This interactive and problem-solving approach deepened their understanding of modern engineering tools used in the field. The workshop concluded with a review session, where students received expert feedback on their designs and discussed real-world applications of the software in industrial plant design. The Department of Materials Engineering expresses its profound appreciation to Sandvik for its valuable contribution to student training and professional development. The department looks forward to future collaborations that will continue to provide students with industry-relevant skills and prepare them for careers in plant design and metallurgical engineering.
