Ashesi-ETH Master in Mechatronics: Meet Two Students from Cameroon and Ghana

Since the beginning of the year, ETH Zurich and Ashesi University in Ghana, together with industry partners, are offering a master's programme in mechatronics engineering taught in Ghana by faculty of both institutions. 26 students from across Africa have made it through the selection process. In this interview, two of them, Miyang and Theophilus, talk about their motivation and expectations of the programme.

02.02.2022 by Alexandra Hees

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On 17 January 2022, the external pagefirst class of the new joint master programme in Mechatronics Engineering took up their studies. For 26 students from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the first semester began with three days of orientation before the start of the first block course in mathematics, jointly taught by lecturers from Ashesi University and ETH Zurich. Over the next three years, they will acquire interdisciplinary knowledge in the design, optimisation, control and management of production processes, machines and systems. In the final year, a three-month industry internship will enable them to apply what they have learned in practice, before finalising their studies with a master thesis.

Meet Miyang Limnyuy Miki

Miyang is 24 years old and a recent graduate from the National Advanced School of Engineering, Yaounde, in Cameroon, where she did her undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering. She is passionate about using science and technology in developing the industrial sector in Africa and the world at large.

Meet Theophilus Acheampong Wereko

Theophilus is 25 years old and obtained his BSc Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa, Ghana, where he completed with a first-class honor and was awarded Best Graduating Engineering Student by the Ghana Institute of Engineers. He is very passionate about helping people realise their dreams.

Miyang , what motivated you to apply for the Ashesi-ETH Master in Mechatronics Engineering?

M: Ashesi University has an outstanding reputation for forming not only professionals but exemplary leaders for the African community. Together with the top-quality educational standard of ETH Zurich, I was convinced the Ashesi-ETH Mechatronics Engineering programme would be the best milieu to further my studies. Added to enhancing my skills as an engineer, the programme equally includes professional training via internships with the company partners, giving its students a well-rounded formation in both theoretical and practical concepts in engineering.

Theophilus, what are you hoping to achieve with the master's programme for your future career goals?

T: To be an ethical engineer with excellent technical skills and soft skills, to be able to contribute to the development and industrialisation of Africa.

What are your expectations of the programme?
M: My expectations are mainly professional and inter-relational. I intend to master the skills relevant for the industrial and manufacturing sector, particularly in automation, which is my main point of interest for the programme. The Ashesi community is a breeding ground for the development of strong leadership qualities and the ability to live in harmony with people from several countries in Africa. I intend to explore the diversity of the African culture alongside my engineering studies at Ashesi.

The program includes not only technical engineering skills but also topics such as ethical leadership, or team management. Apart from technical knowledge, what qualities do you think an engineer needs today?

T: To be an effective engineer in this generation requires several soft skills as well as technical skills. Among the top required soft skills, I believe, are effective communication skills, leadership skills, resilience, initiative, and empathy.

M: What stands out to me the most is the ability to work in teams. Teamwork is a very fundamental aspect of every professional setting, particularly in the field of engineering, as engineers have to work with each other to achieve a common objective. The ability to appreciate diversity, share and accept new ideas and be tolerant with people, are therefore invaluable skills an engineer must possess.