Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students and those in the related fields have been tasked with the need to embrace the ethics of engineering in a bid to have a fulfilled career experience and for the overall good of society.
Giving the advice on Friday at the sidelines of the registration and technical presentation for the engineering students of The Polytechnic Ibadan are stakeholders from the Nigeria Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers, Ibadan chapter, Oyo State.
The mentoring programme, aimed at grooming the students in anticipation of future challenges in the field, is an annual exercise organised by the NIEEE in collaboration with the Polytechnic in preparation for their graduation.
The Chairman of NIEEE in Ibadan, Oyo State, Babatunde Ogunpaimo, described the exercise as a way of building the town and gown for societal advancement.
Ogunpaimo explained that “It is an advocacy for the students to know where they belong to and to understand the challenges and the solution to be preferred in the various engineering field. It is an advocacy whereby students would be able to meet their senior colleagues and learn the intricacies in the field of engineering (electrical electronics engineering).
“They are expected to be exposed to the emerging technology that is in current fold such as the embedded technology and power systems, clean technology, communications and other microelectronics interface.”
Dr Olusola Kunle Akinde, Head of Department, Electrical and Biometrical Engineering, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, said the event was a tremendous eye-opening opportunity for the students to prepare for life after the campus, meeting up with the challenges both at the workplace.
Akinde noted that the problem is fundamentally from the environment and the policy. “The policy in the country does not give support to creativity. By the time you see those who are naturally talented and they are not given the needed support, some of them get discouraged. Instead of building on the foundation that they were exposed to at school, they would just look for cheap means to fend for living rather than being mindful of ethics.
“Survival then becomes a priority instead of creativity to make the country better. All over the world, we have a lot of innovators, but the environment has to really be helpful. However, entrepreneurship should be enhanced,” he said.
He harped on the need for government and spirited individuals to make efforts to bridge the gap. “As well, government advisors have key roles to play as well. Investors should also look at ways to find and harvest talents even as the government puts the right people in place to drive outcomes,” he said.
Engineer Rauf Amoo, Oyo State Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Secretary of NIEEE, Ibadan chapter, said that the mentoring programme aimed at grooming the students in anticipation of future challenges in the field.
“We want that when the students graduate from the school, they would be able to fit in perfectly into the industry after graduation.
“My advice is for the students to take what they are doing seriously. This is a field that ruling the world. Virtually everything is going electronic. So, they have ample opportunity. I am optimistic that the sky is the limit for those of them who are very keen about what they are doing.
Musa Kudirat Ola Yinka, the best-year 2024 female graduate of Electrical Engineering, Power Option at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, described the programme as very enriching. “It is an innovative exercise that is good for all engineering students and which would improve them physically and mentally. I think this would also help them to be grounded in practicals.”
Olayinka, who ascribed her success to God and hard work, advised other students to work hard and put God first, stressing that “Just be determined and focused.”
A male student of Electrical Engineering at the institution named Oke Ayomide David said he was excited that efforts were made to build the innovative and creative part of the students. He said, “It is something I had always wanted to get me closer to the dream.”
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