The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) says it has collaborated with selected institutions and indigenous manufacturing companies for the development of its members and the nation.
The National Chairman of NIMechE, Mrs Funmilade Akingbagbohun, made the assertion during a media briefing to herald activities lined up for the 35th NIMechE International Conference and Annual General Meeting in Ibadan on Monday.
The conference provides a unique platform for the mechanical engineering family and stakeholders in engineering, policy making and businesses to network and reflect on topical issues impacting practice and contribution of engineering personnel to national development.
The year 2022 conference has the theme: ‘Advances on Communication and Digital Technologies and its impact on Mechanical Engineering Education and Practice.
Akingbagbohun, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), said that the theme became imperative following the recent development in the technology industry around the globe due to emergence of COVID-19.
“In the midst of challenges of COVID-19, opportunities emerged, as digital communication and technology applications open up new frontiers in communication and education delivery.
“We know that the future is hybrid.
“Human interactions are still needed in every transactions and our profession is a practical profession where learners derive maximum benefits engagement.
“Education is the most critical segment of engineering profession.
“We have been delivering professional development and capacity building to both young engineers and up-skilling of the established engineers to ensure they remain competitive in the industry, ” she said.
Akingbagbohun added that the conference would feature indigenous manufacturing companies distinguished itself in the manufacturing space irrespective of the challenges of sustainability and local content.
She noted that the advocacy for local content and the proper execution of the Executive Order Five was very paramount to national development.
Akingbagbohun said that NIMechE, in fulfilling its mandate, had collaborated selected institutions to deliver world class programme for it’s members to make the more productive citizens.
She said the collaborations have led to the establishment of a Welding Academy to address the recurring issues of the dearth of practice of welders in the country.
“We have made progress in deepening education and capacity building collaborations with the Engineering Forum of Nigerians UK, Glasgow Caledonian University UK, University of West of Scotland and University of Lincoln, “Akingbagbohun said.
Akingbagbohun charged the young engineers to come up with solutions to the challenges of energy, additive manufacturing and agriculture as institution intend to follow up with their designs to patent and commercialisation.
Earlier, the chairman of NIMechE, Oyo state branch, Victor Ogunranti, also a Fellow of the institute, said that the week-long conference would feature paper presentation, technical sessions, fellowship awards, group dynamics competition and exhibition among others.
