Researchers urged to engineer Systems for Sustainable Solutions

On 15th August 2024, the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP) hosted a seminar at the RESWCK Auditorium with Dr. Alexander Komashie, a Health Systems Researcher from the University of Cambridge, as the guest speaker. The "Engineering Better Lives: The Role of Design and Systems Thinking" seminar provided valuable insights into integrating design and systems thinking in engineering.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa, Deputy Project Lead, KEEP, encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to learn how to develop systems that can interconnect across various sectors to improve lives.

"Our purpose here today goes beyond discussing engineering. It is about discovering ways to create systems that can be integrated across different sectors to enhance our lives," he stated.

Dr. Alexander Komashie, in his presentation, shared how his project thesis sparked his interest in addressing challenges within the health sector, ultimately guiding him toward a career in systems engineering research. This journey also resulted in his first research publications, which earned him a prestigious award.

He emphasised the crucial role of engineering in various fields, highlighting how it can be applied to solve complex problems. He stressed the importance of designing effective systems, the foundation for successful solutions. Drawing from his experience as a health systems researcher, he shared how he developed robust system structures using engineering principles to address some of the pressing challenges in the healthcare sector in the UK.

In addition, Dr. Komashie touched on feedback loops and delays, explaining their impact on system behaviour. He emphasised how these concepts are vital to understanding the interconnected nature of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also emphasised that systems must be intentionally designed to solve today’s problems and remain effective and adaptable in the future, showcasing the crucial role engineering plays in developing sustainable solutions.

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Project Lead, KEEP, reiterated the need for collaboration across different disciplines, encouraging a collective effort to create systems and frameworks that could drive significant progress and development in the country. He urged students, researchers and all stakeholders to come on board and collaborate to create an effective and well-designed system that will aid in developing all sectors. He announced that a short course on systems engineering will be hosted by the KNUST College of Engineering Innovation Centre and the creation of a systems research group.

Participants from diverse fields engaged with Dr. Komashie after his presentation.