Strengthening engineering ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa
This project responds to the significant gaps that exist in advanced training and research in applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in sub-Saharan Africa. Skills in these fields are often either lacking or students are not well equipped for the national or regional job market.
Five pilot projects across sub-Saharan Africa, selected through an open competition and an independent review panel, will explore ways in which engineering research and education in Africa can be strengthened. The five projects touch on various aspects related to how STEM training and research can more effectively achieve social and economic impact throughout the region. These projects are:
• Product design in the engineering curriculum (Nigeria)
• Building capacity in water engineering in East Africa to support the Sustainable Development Goals (Tanzania)
• Supporting leading innovations in water resources management (Ghana)
• University co-op programs in East Africa (Tanzania)
• Supporting STEM research cultures in Africa: Building institutional capacity for computing research (Kenya)
Project leaders will contribute to regional and global understanding by studying their national or sub-regional engineering “ecosystem” and by reflecting on their projects. They will collectively build a new field of expertise on engineering on the continent, namely through the lens of engineering education and innovation systems. By sharing best practices and lessons learned, they will explore common issues such as the lack of women in engineering, barriers to university-industry partnerships, and challenges in career pathways for engineers.
Project ID
108883
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
David O'Brien
Total Funding
CA$ 1,593,350.00
Location
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
South of Sahara
Tanzania
Uganda
Programs
Education and Science
Education and Science
Foundations for Innovation
Institution Country
Tanzania
Project Leader
Gussai Sheikheldin
Institution
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
Institution
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Institution Website
Institution Country
Ghana
Project Leader
Kwame Agyeman-Prempeh Agyekum
Institution
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
Institution Country
United States
Project Leader
Matthew Harsh
Institution
Cal Poly Corporation
Institution Website
Institution Country
Nigeria
Project Leader
Omotayo Fakinlede
Institution
Nigerian Academy of Engineering (Limited by Guarantee)
Institution Website
Institution
SCIENCE
Institution Website
Institution Country
Tanzania
Project Leader
Victor Kongo
Institution
Tanzania Water Partnership
Institution Website
Outputs
|
Challenges around employability of engineering graduates in Africa : can industrial secondments be a remedy? Brief
With the shortage of local, competent engineering practitioners being a challenge to sustainable development, existing engineering ecosystems need to transform and address the challenge. The SIS project has shown potential in improving the professional competence (and thus employability) of engineering students through methods such as student industrial secondment (SIS) programmes and problem-based learning, among others. However, for such methods to work properly, more efforts and effective coordination among stakeholders in the engineering ecosystem are required. Author(s): Sheikheldin, Gussai, Mutambala, Musambya, Diyamett, Bitrina, Nyichomba, Bavo Language: English |
Building capacity in water engineering for addressing sustainable development goals in East Africa (CAWESDEA) : strengthening engineering ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa - Project Culmination Conference Report
The project “Building Capacity in Water Engineering for Addressing Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa (CAWESDEA)” was implemented jointly in three countries: Kenya (Moi University), Uganda (Makerere University) and Tanzania (University of Dar es Salaam). This comprehensive report provides an overview of the CAWESDEA conference, highlighting achievement, impacts and key lessons learnt throughout the project. The event also facilitated further input from participants and stakeholders to add to results and to prepare for the second phase. Author(s): Tanzania Water Partnership Language: English |
Strengthening engineering ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa Report
The consortium identified a systemic problem in line with the World Bank and IDRC sources that point to the lack of targeted industry training and research application for students in engineering. The consortium used a scheme that involved the piloting of applied engineering research projects in the following disciplines: ICT, Sanitation (Environment and Waste Management) and Water. A total of 31 student-led pilot projects were piloted, targeting solving critical developmental challenges like improving access to affordable sanitation, water supply, and energy saving while striving for gender equality (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal # 5). It has been found that the current curriculum can be enhanced if students in their final year are encouraged to work in multi-disciplinary groups partnered with the private sector with the aim of addressing specific problems in these institutions. Author(s): Agyekum, Kwame Agyeman-Prempeh, Adjei, Kwaku Amaning Language: English |
Student industrial secondments for engineering in East Africa : project technical report Report
Relative shortage of engineering practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa has been reported as a major concern in many studies on industrial and technological development of the region. However, the region simultaneously records a significant number of existing engineering graduates who find it difficult to find employment in engineering fields. While that situation reflects the inability to absorb human capital in industrial processes, it can also be partly explained by a relative deficit (real or perceived) in the competency of local engineering graduates in the ever-advancing areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and/or a scarcity in opportunities to hone and demonstrate competency of local engineering graduates in the labour market. Consequently, local engineering graduates have inadequate hands-on experience needed in industries as well as for establishing start-up engineering firms/businesses. To address this situation, it was postulated that promoting engineering student industrial secondment (SIS) programmes can be a suitable approach to strengthening the linkages between engineering education, practice and employability. Author(s): Sheikheldin, Gussai, Mutambala, Musambya, Diyamett, Bitrina, Nyichomba, Bavo Language: English |
Improving competences of engineering graduates through student industrial secondments : a study in East Africa Study
Relative shortage of engineering practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa has been reported as a major concern in many studies on industrial and technological development of the region. However, the region simultaneously records a significant number of existing engineering graduates who find it difficult to find employment in engineering fields. While that situation reflects the inability to absorb human capital in industrial processes, it can also be partly explained by a relative deficit (real or perceived) in the competency of local engineering graduates in the ever-advancing areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and/or a scarcity in opportunities to hone and demonstrate competency of local engineering graduates in the labour market. Consequently, local engineering graduates have inadequate hands-on experience needed in industries as well as for establishing start-up engineering firms/businesses. To address this situation, it was postulated that promoting engineering student industrial secondment (SIS) programmes can be a suitable approach to strengthening the linkages between engineering education, practice and employability. Author(s): Sheikheldin, Gussai, Mutambala, Musambya, Diyamett, Bitrina, Nyichomba, Bavo Language: English |
Rethinking the West African engineering ecosystem Report
This document summarizes S2PAfrica’s key activities during the grant period 2018 - 2022. We have documented the status of current milestones and measurable results outlined in our grant agreement, our project’s successes/challenges and future goals, and the status of the budget/funds awarded through the grant. This final report will allow both S2PAfrica and IDRC to learn from our experience and understand how this grant empowered us to critically rethink the engineering ecosystem for the West African region. Author(s): Omotayo, Fakinlede, Adegbola, Tunde, Adewumi, Olayinka Language: English |
Building capacity in water engineering for addressing sustainable development goals in East Africa (CAWESDEA) : Final Technical Report Report
Tanzania Water Partnership (TWP) in collaboration with Department of Water Resources Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology (CoET), University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania; Department of Civil Engineering and Environment, Makerere University in Uganda; and Department of Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering, Moi University in Kenya jointly applied and implemented the IDRC funded project titled Building Capacity in Water Engineering For Addressing Sustainable Development Goals In East Africa (CAWESDEA). The project was conceived out of collaborative efforts between the partnering institutions, starting way back in 2017 when TWP submitted a concept note to IDRC in response to a call for the programme titled Strengthening Engineering Ecosystem in sub-Saharan Africa. TWP led the efforts of developing the concept note into a project proposal of which was funded by IDRC after going through due diligence processes. The CAWESDEA project was designed to cover 3 years - starting from October 1st 2018 and ending in September 2021. However, due to unprecedented global COVID19 Pandemic, the project was extended by four months up to February 2022. Thus, this report provides an account of the implementation trajectory of the CAWESDEA project. Author(s): Kongo, Victor, Kosgei, Job Rotich, Munishi, Subira Eva, Sempewo, Jotham Language: English |
Student industrial secondments in East Africa : improving employability in engineering Article
This study aims to explore best practices for evidence-based policy in establishing and running robust engineering student industrial secondment (SIS) programs, coordinated between universities and industries. SIS programs applied to engineering can be a suitable approach for strengthening the linkages between engineering study, practice and employability. The unavailability or absence of records and records keeping, or weak access to institutional/industrial and employment records makes rigorous investigation a challenge. Author(s): Mutambala, Musambya, Sheikheldin, Gussai, Diyamett, Bitrina, Nyichomba, Bavo Language: English |
Engineering education, development and growth in Africa Article
The demand for engineers and the under-employment of engineers seem to be simultaneous. This study looks for underlying reasons based on a review of existing literature. The paper suggests that the competency of engineering graduates in Africa needs to increase through enhancing and strengthening engineering education. This would include job market skills such as reliable communication, task and time management, familiarity with local processes and industrial standards, and related administrative skills. Author(s): Sheikheldin, Gussai, Nyichomba, Bavo Language: English |