The KNUST TCC Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, and Technology Transfer (TCC-CIMET) has equipped students of Weweso M/A JHS with hands-on demonstrations of engineering concepts and the Internet of Things (IoT) at a workshop.
The event, organized as part of the 2025 World Engineering Day celebrations, aimed to spark curiosity, ignite passion, and introduce young minds in basic schools to the world of engineering.
TCC-CIMET, a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence at KNUST, specializes in engineering research, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer, and technology entrepreneurship training across Africa.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Centre, Professor Francis Davis, emphasized the need to change the narrative surrounding STEM education.
“Engineering is not reserved for a select few; it is open to everyone. For many young people, engineering may seem distant or complex, but our mission is to change that. Early exposure to engineering unlocks vast opportunities for students,” he stated.
Professor Davis also reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to enhancing education and nurturing future engineers by strengthening teacher capacity.
“We recognize the need to support educators as well. We plan to conduct training sessions for teachers to ensure they stay updated on STEM-related topics and are well- prepared to guide students in these fields,” he added.
As part of this commitment, he announced plans to establish a robotics club at the school, providing students with hands-on experience and making robotics education more practical and engaging.
“We are ready to support the school, in collaboration with the district, to bring this initiative to life,” he affirmed.
Dr. Oliver Kornyor, a lecturer at the Computer Science Department and a Research Fellow at TCC-CIMET added:
“We have taken students through Arduino programming to demonstrate how engineers and computer scientists can locally develop IoT solutions. Bridging the gap between academia and industry is crucial, and we believe that by the end of this session, students will better understand IoT and its importance.”
Mr. Bright Appietu, IT Coordinator for the Oforikrom Municipal Ghana Education Service, praised the initiative for making STEM education more practical.
“We hope that students, right from the basics, can work with robotics and electronic kits, enabling them to create tangible solutions that meet global standards. STEM education has often been taught abstractly, but this program brings concepts to life, reinforcing their relevance,” he remarked.
