Engineers Admonished to Support Engineering Education and Research for National Development at the GhIE Annual Conference 2023 At Takoradi.

Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering KNUST, and Ing. Asare Yeboah, Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board of the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP), made a presentation on the role of Engineering Education and Research for National Development at the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) Annual Conference 2023 on 29th March 2023 at the Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel, Takoradi.

Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, mentioned that from the national context, Ghana’s economy is characterized by high dependence on unskilled labor and natural resources, preventing it from moving up the value chain and becoming more specialized in knowledge-intensive and high-value-added activities coupled with low institutional capacity to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into products and services and high unemployment, particularly among young people.

He said the key elements of engineering education are a strong foundation in science and mathematics, a relevant curriculum, practical experience, industry partnerships, and a strong faculty.

He urged engineers to be game changers through industrialization, creating employment and businesses and significantly contributing to the fourth industrial revolution.

He said engineering research and development must be deepened through adequate research funding, increasing postgraduate engineering enrolment, securing scholarships or financial aid and research grants, and strengthening the academia and industry linkage through internships.

He solicited internship slots from companies and industries for postgraduate students to sharpen their soft skills and help them relate what is taught in the classroom to the field of work.

He outlined a 6-step approach to sustaining quality engineering postgraduate education as follows:

1. Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration
2. Supporting faculty development
3. Student-centred learning environment
4. Leveraging technology
5. Engaging industry partners
6. Culture of continuous improvement

He called on the government, industry, professional associations, alumni, and all stakeholders to come on board and support the campaign for quality engineering education and research.

Prof. Nyarko introduced the KNUST College of Engineering Endowment Fund as an innovative financing initiative focused on postgraduate engineering education and research. He said donating to the fund would provide continuous funding to support postgraduate education and financial aid to postgraduate students in the College of Engineering. He said the target is to raise GH¢50m ($5 million) within five years. He mentioned that Ghana is blessed with very bright and talented students. However, after their undergraduate studies, they are lost to advanced economies such as the USA, Europe, and Asia, which have attractive scholarships and easily attract them with mouth-watering offers. He said the Endowment Fund would significantly help retain the top engineering graduates in Ghana, which will, in the long run, address some of the developmental challenges relating to manufacturing, industrialization, energy systems, exploration, and renewable energy in the country.

He appreciated all corporate and individual contributors contributing to the fund and encouraged all corporate institutions, alumni year groups, and individuals to donate.

Ing. Asare Yeboah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Endowment Fund, encouraged everyone present to donate to the KNUST College of Engineering Endowment Fund through the Momo payment options, Bank account, or visa card options.