The Association of Professional Women in Engineering of Nigeria (APWEN), a division of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), says it is sponsoring 500 students to study engineering courses in tertiary institutions.
The President of APWEN, Mrs Funmilola Ojelade, disclosed this at a news conference organised by the association in Abuja on Monday.
The conference, tagged “Women in Engineering Driving Digital Transformation”, was organised to introduce a four-day-long event in which opportunities would be provided for learning, networking and winding.
According to her, the scholarship is anchored by the association but sponsored by different individuals and organisations, adding that the beneficiaries are drawn from different states of the country.
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She, however, stressed that such students must study any engineering courses of their choice to qualify for the scholarship.
The students would be sponsored right from the primary session to the tertiary level in the study of only engineering courses.
“The scholarship for primary school students, the intention is for them to study engineering. 81 of those girls are being sponsored by Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
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“Some 90 of those girls are been sponsored by the Gov. of Borno State, Babagana Zulu, 300 are being sponsored by the Member of the House of Representative, representing Ngala Bama Calabar Gey constituency.
“And another 10 is being sponsored by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting,’’ Ojelade said.
Ojelade added that the purpose was to ensure that girls were encouraged to take up courses in engineering, that girls must be creative.
“Our creativity combined with the policies is what makes engineering to be attractive, she said it was not just about the industries but engineers must be creative.
“Our vision is to be a catalyst for women in the engineering profession both nationally and internationally, provide an opportunity for learning, networking.
“Looking at how organisations will adapt to businesses and processes to make the best of technology investments that they have,’’ Ojelade said.
Mr Tasiu Wudli, Deputy President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), urged the association to improve on their programmes, adding that in engineering there was always room for improvement.
“We find out that the professional divisions have not been doing what they are supposed to do, there are so many gaps especially in human capital development of our members.
“So we are going to engage the divisions, the civil engineers they do not have problems in the application of standards but the electrical the chemicals have.
“The heart of power system is the transformers, so we don’t know even the standard for transformers, talk-less of power breakers, talk-less of simple sockets.
“When we are doing the design, we just design and say 13 amps socket anybody can bring anything, we need to be professionals.
“And the divisions this is what they are supposed to do, the last code of code in the Nigerian code of practice is a British one done in 1976.
Wudli said many things were being done by quacks and the members are there without jobs noting that their jobs were been given to other people.
He therefore stressed the need to work on the engineering code of practice which had become obsolete so that engineers could be empowered.
The four-day conference which commenced on Sept. 20 will end on 23 of Sept. It started with a health walk; will also feature exhibitions, panel session, technical sessions, young engineer programmes, APWEN town and gown, a programme for young engineers to meet potential employers. (NAN)
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