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The rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Engr. Olufunke Akinkurolere has urged engineering students to always display good managerial, leadership, team building and communication skills.
According to her, an analytical mind that is willing to learn new things, and one which pays attention to details remained the hallmark of any successful Engineer.
Akinkurolere gave the advice during a virtual mentorship programme titled “Female Students in Engineering Discipline: Challenges and Prospects”
The programme was organised by the Abeokuta Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigerian.
She admonished female Engineering undergraduates never to give up on their dreams.
While fielding questions from participants, the Rector highlighted career prospects that professionals could take advantage of in Engineering Practice which include: Teaching/Training and Research, Design and Development, Construction and Production (that is, Manufacturing), Engineering Economics and Management (that is, Maintenance) and Consultancy, all of which are open to all Engineers irrespective of gender.
She urged participants to believe in themselves as having the power to succeed in the Engineering profession.
‘’I have not seen any difference in terms of opportunities, for either female or male. For me, it has been a matter of choice. I strongly believe that women can indeed stand out in Engineering!”
“I have enjoyed being an Engineer, and desire that more women share this feeling of fulfilment”, she added.
In response to the concern raised by a participant, on the fate of Engineering students with low grades, Engr. Akinkurolere said determination and hard work could make even a low performing student excel eventually, adding that different mentorship programmes run by APWEN would encourage female Engineering students to build the confidence they need to shine, noting that with self confidence, barriers that deter women from scaling to the top would be eliminated .
