The Faculty of Engineering (FOE) on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, launched its week-long Faculty Week Celebration at the G. M. Afeti Auditorium under the theme, “Smart Engineering for Sustainable Development.” The celebration provided a platform for faculty, staff, students, industry professionals, and other stakeholders to reflect on the role of smart engineering in addressing contemporary development challenges.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Maxwell Akple, noted that the theme reflects the need for engineers and engineering students to harness available technologies creatively to develop sustainable solutions and encouraged participants to use the Faculty Week as an opportunity to learn, build professional networks, and contribute to national development, the growth of the University, and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, commended the Faculty for its sustained contributions towards advancing the University’s vision and mission through teaching, research, and innovation. He observed that the growing influence of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies demands smarter engineering approaches capable of driving innovation and sustainable development.
Prof. Honyenuga further encouraged engineering students to think beyond conventional solutions by taking advantage of opportunities within the Faculty and collaborating across disciplines to develop innovative and impactful solutions. He also expressed satisfaction with the increasing participation of women in engineering and expressed optimism that more female students would pursue careers in the field.
Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour, Ing. Charles K. Nartey, a Systems Engineer and Technologist, underscored the University’s unique strength in translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that address real-world challenges. He noted that sectors such as energy, agriculture, waste management, and infrastructure require innovative and sustainable engineering approaches, adding that the University is well-positioned to transform local challenges into impactful solutions through applied technology.
Ing. Nartey further commended the University for its strong hands-on approach to engineering education and its commitment to continuously expanding its curriculum to incorporate more smart and sustainable engineering concepts while strengthening industry partnerships through applied research. He therefore encouraged students to view challenges within their communities as opportunities for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship, stressing that the future belongs to engineers who can develop practical, locally relevant solutions that contribute to sustainable national development.
Activities held as part of the celebration included an innovation pitching session by Women in Engineering (WINE), inter-departmental pitching competitions, staff outreach programmes, and a dinner night. The celebration also featured an exhibition showcasing innovative engineering projects, research outputs, technological solutions, prototypes, and products developed by students and staff.