At KNUST College of Engineering, Geomatic Engineering is shaping students whose motivations go far beyond the lecture room. From breaking gender barriers to resolving land disputes and securing a better future, some third-year Geomatic students shared how personal background and community needs influenced their academic choices.

 Gladys Erzoah chose Geomatic Engineering as a deliberate and personal decision.

“I wanted a course that will help me in the future. I love it and it’s full of experience,” she said.

Coming from Nzema, Gladys says the absence of visible female engineers in her community motivated her even more. She hopes to challenge long-held perceptions about who can thrive in engineering.

“Looking at my background from Nzema, I don’t see any female engineer. I chose this course to tell those from my place that females can also be engineers.”

Looking ahead, Gladys is determined to become the first female engineer in her family and inspire younger relatives to dream boldly.

“I want to be the first female engineer in my family and inspire other young ones from my family to dream to be engineers.”

Prince Aheng, who hails from Wassa Amenfi, says his interest in mathematics, physics, and practical problem-solving led him to the programme.

“I wanted a course that is practically orientated, and it also involves a lot of mathematics and physics.”

Beyond academics, Prince is driven by the land-related challenges in his hometown.

“When you do geomatics, you’ll be able to solve land-related problems like land disputes and land encroachments. And at my area, there are a lot of land disputes and land encroachments.”

For him, the course is a tool for community development.

“I’m taking this course so that I’ll be able to solve these kinds of problems in my place, and where I come from, it’s not on the map, so I’m trying to do something about that,” he shared.

For Prempeh David Morris, Geomatic Engineering satisfies both his curiosity and purpose.  His fascination with the earth, particularly land ownership, sparked his interest in the course.

“My interest is in the land, in particular. You get to know why people fight over land and who the rightful owner is.”

Prempeh hopes to become a surveyor, support his family, and contribute to resolving land issues within his community.

“My mum said it's a good course and my family have lands and they will be needing a surveyor in the future.”

Mildred Bedu-Addo’s motivation was straightforward and honest.

“I chose this course because of money. There’s money in engineering, and when I was given Geomatic Engineering, I was excited,” she shared.

She believes the programme offers financial security and career stability, making it a smart and rewarding choice.

Ruth Amoadzah says her introduction to Geomatic Engineering came through her brother, who highlighted its career prospects.

“My brother told me about it and how lucrative Geomatic Engineering is, and I loved the course.”

Now aspiring to become a surveyor, Ruth encourages others to consider the programme.

“It is lucrative, and it broadens your scope of knowledge,” she said.

By: Abena Serwaa Gyamfi  Photos: Isaac Kwaku Duah