KNUST Students Share Summer School Experiences in Zurich
Over the last few months, ETH4D has facilitated the participation of engineering Master’s students from our partner university KNUST in Ghana in different ETH summer schools. Now that the summer is coming to a close, we asked them to share some reflections on their experiences.
Robotics
Adjoe Rachel Yayra joined the Robotics Summer School offered by the Center for Robotics – ETH RobotX, where she and her team programmed and tested a semi-autonomous rough-terrain unmanned ground vehicle.
What do you want researchers in Switzerland to know about robotics in Ghana?
The field of robotics in Ghana is growing rapidly, especially for applications in agriculture. While there may be some challenges, such as access to cutting-edge technology, the researchers in Ghana are creative and are actively learning and developing solutions tailored to our unique needs and contexts. Collaborations and support from established institutions in Switzerland are important as they facilitate knowledge exchange that can drive the progress of robotics in Ghana.
What do you think are the biggest societal and/or technological challenges that researchers in Switzerland and Ghana could work on collaboratively?
I believe that some of the biggest societal and technological challenges that we could work on include agricultural automation and assistive devices for physically challenged individuals. Enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability is a key challenge, as agriculture contributes significantly to our GDP. Some of the aspects that we could collaborate on are advanced robots for precision farming, harvesting, and transportation, tailored to a Ghanaian context. Also, creating assistive devices for people with physical challenges to empower their independence is a field that I have a particular interest in as I keep working to create assistive solutions for individuals with visual impairment.
Dense and Green Cities
Henrietta Brew Ntim-Addae , Jeff Kojo Nathan, and Simeon Stevenson Turay attended the “Dense and Green Cities" Summer School offered through the Future Cities Laboratory, where they explored interdisciplinary modes of urban transformation through a case study in Zurich.
Can you describe a moment during the summer school when you felt particularly inspired or motivated?
Henrietta: I was particularly inspired when we explored the impact of architectural design on the environment. This experience motivated me to reassess my approach as a professional architect, focusing on the environmental implications of my designs.
Jeff: One of the memorable moments was getting to work with the Microclimate Digital Platform and the City Energy Analyst. These tools effectively demonstrated how our urban development plans integrate with the natural environment and their potential impacts. Additionally, my group and I developed a scenario for our case study that focused on densification, greenery and connectivity. This collaborative effort was particularly impactful, as it allowed us to apply our interdisciplinary knowledge to create a sustainable urban plan.
What do you think are the biggest societal and/or technological challenges when it comes to cities that researchers in Switzerland and Ghana could work on collaboratively?
Henrietta: Urbanization and climate change are the most pressing societal challenges facing cities today. Researchers in Switzerland and Ghana can collaborate to develop sustainable and inclusive urban environments, focusing on implementing green technologies and practices to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of these issues.
Computational Design for Additive Manufacturing
Jesse Essuman Johnson, Ebenezer Martey, and Isaac Duah participated in the "Computational Design for Additive Manufacturing” Summer School co-organized by the ETH Engineering Design and Computing Laboratory. Their teams explored computational strategies and tools to enhance various bicycle components through additive manufacturing.
What new perspectives have you gained from interacting with students and faculty?
Ebenezer: I got to interact with diverse students from different countries, academic and backgrounds which was quite exciting. I got to hear different stories and experience unique perspectives which helped shape and widen my worldview. Collaborating with my diverse team members also gave me new ideas on teamwork and task management and further insights on how tasks are handled by different people.
What has been the most challenging aspect of the summer school?
Issac: The CDfAM summer school was super educative and fun. A challenging aspect was the scheduling and duration of the school. Due to the limited time, activities were tightly packed.
Can you describe a moment during the summer school when you felt particularly inspired or motivated?
Jesse: I was particularly inspired by our visit to Monopole Bike. Their approach to designing cargo bikes with unique features, such as their distinctive frame design and innovative battery arrangements, were fascinating to learn about. This experience has encouraged me to generate more realistic yet innovative ideas in my own design processes.