Education and training of engineers: the Sierra Leone experience and gender considerations

Abstract

The paper considers the education and training of engineers, using data from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. It discusses changes in preferences in terms of disciplines, i.e. electrical, mechanical and civil engineering as offered by the Faculty of Engineering, with respect to the number of students opting for these disciplines. The problems encountered in the process of restructuring the syllabuses taught in order to reflect new technologies are discussed with regard to the custodians of the status quo. Training programmes organised by the University in collaboration with industry and how job opportunities are created through such cooperation are considered. Questionnaire results are also discussed addressing the gender issue both at the University and in employment and a statistical appraisal of female students in engineering in comparison with their male counterparts is made for a ten-year period. Interestingly, electrical engineering appears a popular choice by female students followed by civil and mechanical Engineering.