In order to proffer innovative solution to Nigeria’s agriculture, healthcare and sanitation, automation and sustainable energy, the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), a division of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged Nigeria engineering students to be more innovative to drive energy efficiency in the Nation.
National chairman, Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Engr. Robinson Ejilah, disclosed this at the NIMechE innovation challenge 2.0 prize giving day and exhibition held at the Lagos Branch, Engineer Oyebolu Housework and Physical planning yard, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos state.
He said, “the type of engineering that we went through has changed dramatically, in our own days it was about the degree, WAEC, GCE, etc., but today you must apply your skills and intuition. Engineering teaches you to build your imagination, translate it into something that will be beneficial to man”.
Meanwhile, the NIC 2.0 sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering as at April 2018, gathered 320 mechanical engineering students from 25 universities in Nigeria and Ghana, with a presentation of 30 innovations.
from16 universities and 10 of them were selected to proceed to the next phase.
Speaking on the journey and objective of NIMechE innovation challenge, the Project Manager, NIC 2.0, Engr. Osazoduwa Agboneni said the initiative is set to eradicate the current gap between classroom, engineering education, and practices.
Agboneni said, “the initiative is aimed at helping engineering students promote the profession, share best practice and increase the local engineering capacity to help drive development. This is to be supported by high-quality research focusing on establishing the evidence base of the importance of what engineering institution and the role they play in delivering sustainable growth and mapping engineering capacity and diversity in the country”.
To corroborate this, the Chairman, NIMechE, Lagos Chapter, Engr. Segun Fadeyi in his opening remark said the initiative was an emergency development programme dedicated to deepening and building the capacity of mechanical engineering students in providing homegrown innovative solutions and to develop an effective system of knowledge sharing, collaborate and internship amongst mechanical engineers in Nigeria and Ghana; building on the success of the recently concluded 2017 NIMechE innovation challenge.
In an interview with the Program Manager, Engineers against Poverty, a UK-based NGO, Elizabeth Dykstra-McCarthy, “it is a really important opportunity to create African solutions to African problems specifically Nigeria solutions to Nigeria problems and more specifically it is an opportunity for Nigerian students to show their talent and express their ability through engineering impact. It is also to increase the employability of the student entrepreneurship and leadership skills hopefully they can add to the growing economy of Nigeria, its human capital and ability to share their knowledge and experience with other people, hopefully, the student is coming up with solutions that will help the Nigerian farmers and housewives”.
However, the 10 selected team showcased their innovations, made their presentations and 3 of the best team were awarded at the end of the competition.
