The Faculty of Built Environment Students’ Society (FABESS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held its maiden edition of the Builder’s Idea Challenge on Friday, 30th July 2021 at the College of Science Auditorium.
The challenge was supported by Honourable (Esq.) Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency.
According to the President of FABESS, Ebenezer Acheampong, the overarching objective for launching the Builder’s Idea Challenge was to provide a platform for students of the faculty to work in partnership with students of related disciplines to better appreciate their skills and develop innovative solutions to the numerous problems within the built environment space.
Mr. Acheampong commended the Honourable Member of Parliament for his continuous support in ensuring that the winners are provided with the adequate funds to implement their ideas. He also lauded the efforts of the FABESS executives and the Builder’s Idea Planning Committee for organising such an event that would contribute to the development of students and the country.
The Chairman for the ceremony, Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Head of Quality Assurance and Planning Unit (QAPU), KNUST congratulated the contestants for their effort in exploring and establishing new architectural methods to address issues related to the built environment.
He called on other faculties and colleges within the University to take up the initiative to improve on students’ creativity and innovation.
The Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah seized the opportunity to thank the Dean, lecturers, students, and initiators of the Builder’s Idea Challenge for the commitment shown in institutionalising the initiative.
Dr. Kumah indicated that the cash prize for the maiden edition is Twenty-five thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC 25,000) which would be doubled in the successive years. He assured management of his outfit’s commitment to providing the necessary funds for students to develop outstanding ideas. He also encouraged students whose ideas were not selected to not give up on their dream but rather work on their concept. ‘If your idea was not selected, work on your concept, learn new things that would develop your idea. Have mentors that will guide and help improve your project’, Dr. Kumah advised.
The Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, Professor Michael Opoku-Boansi in his address revealed that the built environment holds the key to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals Nine (SDG 9), therefore, the initiative of the students is well aligned with the University’s mission to advancing knowledge in science and technology.
Professor Opoku-Boansi disclosed that the students were required to focus on sustainable systems, architectural and construction methods that innovate solutions to problems of the built environment. He commended the Evaluation Panel for painstakingly reviewing the project ideas of the students.
He encouraged the students to participate in future events and hoped that the innovations presented would contribute to addressing the pertinent problems of the built environment in the country.
Dr. Owusu Amponsah, the Chairman of the Evaluation Panel explained the process involved in the selection of the top 4 contestants with the best project proposals. He noted that 10 contestants participated in the contest focusing on various projects that align with Ghana’s vision to attaining SDG9.
Eugene Asiedu and Jesse Anim emerged winners of the maiden edition with their project on ‘Development of Mobile Application form for Clients and Skilled Personnel’.
