By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Northern Regional Branch of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, GhIE, has organized a seminar for pupils of some selected Junior High Schools in Tamale.
The purpose is to introduce the pupils to Engineering as a career and to whip up their interest to pursue Science, Technology and Engineering courses at the senior high school level.
It formed part of activities to commemorate World Engineering Day.
The Northern Regional Branch Chairman of the Ghana Institute of Engineering, Professor Ibrahim Yakubu Seidu, said engineering is critical in the development of a country, hence it behooves government and stakeholders to put measures in place to encourage children at a young age to develop interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
In all, about nine Junior High schools took part in the seminar. They were taken through topics such as ‘Engineering, disciplines of Engineering, Courses and Career Choices.
The Northern Branch Chairman of the Ghana Institute of Engineering, Professor Ibrahim Yakubu Seidu, said it is the hope of the Institute that such seminars will ignite the young ones to appreciate that Engineering is simple and can be fun.
He said Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, is the beginning of Engineering and for it to withstand the test of time, STEM schools must adequately be resourced, and teachers motivated to give off their best.
Professor Seidu charged parents and guardians to encourage and support their wards pursuing STEM education to do their best.
Some of the Pupils who spoke with GBCNews said they are now better informed about Engineering.
The Coordinator of Women in Engineering Branch 5, Dr. Linda Daary said though the number of women in Engineering is low, the impact women in the field are making is enormous.
She advised parents to encourage their female children to pursue engineering related courses adding that though there are challenges they can be surmounted.
