The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch 3-days programme tagged "Project Skill 2017" has come and gone. But the impact and memory will forever remain fresh in the minds of all those who participated. The programme which was organised in conjunction with Young Engineers Edutainment Nigeria Limited lived up to the billing and also provide opportunity for the high school students to have a glimpse of AI through Robotics.
Project Skills, is an annual event organised by the NSE Ikeja Branch for secondary school students as part of its "catch them young" programme and also to promote innovation among the school students.
The Chairman of NSE Ikeja Branch,Engr Akin Akintola said the programme was "designed to groom the young students in science, engineering and mathematics, which he said is the bedrock for infrastructural development in any nation." According to him, if there is no development in STEM, the nation’s development will be a mirage.
Engr. Akin Akintola, stated at the grand finale of a quiz competition, project exhibition and prize giving day that, the folding up of many engineering companies is affecting the exposure of potential engineers. He urged the government to ensure the involvement of indigenous engineers in awarding projects in the country. He explained that many youths in the country would be better enlightened about the profession if they were well mentored and given opportunities to showcase their skills.
He said, “We are poised to groom young ones. Science, engineering and technology are the brains of any infrastructural development in any nation. They are what we need to achieve development. We will not achieve much if there is no room to train our young ones. This programme is one of our ways of contributing our own quota to make Nigeria great.
“Mentoring involves many things. It is beyond just talking. There is a need for practical. Some of the companies where these practical are supposed to take place are already folding up. Many of the companies that could aid mentorship are no more. We have killed them. We used our hands to kill them as Nigerians. Our government must also encourage expertise by involving indigenous engineers in projects. That is a key basis for us to grow.”
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Idiat Adebule, who was represented at the programme by the Director of Science and Technology, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Bayo Ibiyeye, commended the organisers of the programme for complementing the efforts of the government in developing science and technology. She said the state government will continue to partner initiatives by organisations and companies that would help build talents and experts for the country.
The three-day programme tagged: “Project Skill 2017”, organised in collaboration with Young Engineers Edutainment Nigerian Limited also featured quiz completion and project exhibitions.
The Students also undergo training and hand-on Workshop in basic Robotics. As the team from Young Engineers Edutainment Nigeria Limited took them through the foundation knowledge needed to prepare for career in the industry..
Over 21 schools, which include, Oregun Senior Secondary School, Deeper Life High School, Airforce Cantonment Secondary School, Abundant Grace High School and State Senior Secondary High School participated in the quiz competition, out of which five made it to the final.
Air force Secondary School came first in the competition while State Senior High School and Oregun Senior High School emerged second and third positions respectively.
In the project exhibition category, nine schools qualified for the final, out of which Providence Height Secondary, State Senior Secondary School, Keke Senior High School, Oregun Senior High School emerged as winners in the first, second, and third positions respectively.
Some of the device prototype built by the students includes; Amphibian Car, Solar Power Bank, Helicopter, Lawn Mower, Periscope, Robotic Gotbot, Underground Hydraulic Car Park, Nylon Sealing Machine, and Security footmat for homes among others.
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