Engineering in Ghana is sick, and the
Ghana Engineering Students Association (GESA) is a cliché, and I mean these in
the most terrible way.
We All must have heard the story where,
the Ghanaian mechanical and automobile engineer called a road side mechanic to
fix his car. Well, when I gained admission into KNUST, “the primer engineering
university in Ghana”, I wasn't expecting much. I only clinched a sliver of hope
that the stories I heard about this institution were exaggerated. My hopes were
however shattered at my first lecture.
Engineering Technology or ‘engine tech’
as it was called. It was to introduce us to the various machines and methods
that were used in manufacturing, design and fabrication. It would also
introduce us to the working principles of refrigerators, cars, airplanes, and
solar panels. To our dismay however,
this was how it went;
Bring notebooks, write what will be
dictated to you and submit it for marking at the end of the semester it will be
worth thirty marks and your exam will cover the remaining seventy.
It’s been three years now since those
days in my ‘engine tech’ class and I must say things have improved as we
climbed higher up the ladder. However, the anguish I felt those early days was
restored when I came across the posters for the 2016 edition of the GESA week
celebration. A look at the upcoming
program lineup spells out an association that is carelessly tactless.
One would think that when an association
whose name literally has engineering in it, organizes a week-long celebration
then that celebration will have some’ engineering’ in it. Take a look at the
program however and you will see; Patrons cup, Health and investment talk,
Career Fair, Career Fair Movie Show, Gospel rock show and a Debate. “I mean
come on!” On what planet is this an engineering student’s week celebration.
This is a shame, because as an
association, GESA has the duty of upholding the interest of engineering
students and promote engineering itself. I do not see how this is bean achieved
by this week-celebration especially seeing as it has the fattest budget.
Instead of a patron’s cup what if we
would have a patron’s fund for student’s projects. Where final year students who can best defend their
final year project are giving funds to carry them out.
How about instead of an investment talk
we get a talk on Application of Mathematics by professor Allotey., Where
students hear, how mathematics can be applied in their daily life and on the field of work. After all we
learn math and never seem to know what we will use it for.
A technology show and not a Gospel rock
show (not that there is anything wrong with worshiping God). Better yet how
about an exhibition where students who are talented and have skill in the
different engineering field showcase what they can do, expose them to investors
and mentor. Surely this will serve engineering better than a debate.
An innovative devise by KNUST
students that allows farmers to store grains for longer periods
In my express opinion this this year’s GESA week program line up was yet
another flub that makes me doubt that the future of engineering in Ghana is on
a course to light. It is a disgrace to Engineering students and to engineering
at large.
Hopefully next time a better team would be formed to plan a celebration worthy of engineering students,
GESA, and the college of engineering.
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