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Professor Anthony Simons, the immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has called on the government, academia, and industry stakeholders to take bold and urgent steps to reimagine and revamp engineering education in Ghana.
Prof. Simons emphasised that for Ghana to catch up with global technological advancement, significant investments must be made in modern laboratories, workshops, and digital infrastructure within educational institutions.
Giving his professorial inaugural lecture on the topic; Wonsom, Wonsom – A Hexagonal Partnership Imperative for Cultivating Future-Ready Mechanical Engineers in Ghana for the Fifth Industrial Revolution and Beyond,” Prof Simons said “Engineering is expensive, and unless we are bold, unified, and ethically grounded in our commitment to rethinking how we train our engineers, we will continue to lag.”
A Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Anthony Simmons, emphasised the need for increased investment in engineering education in Ghana, and called on the government to equip institutions with modern laboratories and workshops to better train the next generation of engineers.
He highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships between academia, industry, and government in preparing young engineers for the evolving demands of the global market.
In his address, Prof. Simons noted that many Ghanaian engineering graduates struggle to meet industry expectations due to inadequate practical training. He therefore advocated for a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and industry partnerships.
He also proposed that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) should be made a core subject from junior high through to senior high school, to prepare students early for a digitized future.
“Digitalization must be embedded into the core of our engineering curriculum,” he said, citing the importance of automation, artificial intelligence, and data science in modern engineering practices.
He also appealed to private sector companies and development partners to support universities with the necessary infrastructure and resources to enhance technical education.
Prof. Simons stressed that engineering education should not end in the classroom.
He encouraged continuous professional development and lifelong learning for engineers to remain relevant in an ever-evolving field.
He also emphasised the need for ethical leadership and national unity in educational reforms. “We cannot reimagine engineering education without strong values,” he stated.
The lecture, attended by dignitaries, students, and faculty, also served as a celebration of Prof. Simons’ academic journey and contributions. His legacy at UMaT includes not only his administrative roles but also his deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of Ghanaian engineers.
UMaT’s Vice-Chancellor chaired the event, Prof. Richard K. Amankwah, who praised Prof. Simons for his selfless service and scholarly excellence.
The Vice Chancellor underscored the role of mechanical engineers in driving national development, stating that, “By aligning technological advancements with human-centric values, Ghanaian mechanical engineers can lead industrial transformation, leveraging smart innovations to build a sustainable and inclusive future.”
