Kumasi: The Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), is to provide engineering students in the West African sub-region with computer-aided design and smart manufacturing skills for accelerated development. Computer-aided design is a manufacturing process that allows one to digitally create 2D or 3D models of future products. It helps designers and engineers visualize a product's construction before fabricating it. Professor Francis Davis, Director-General, KNUST TCC, who announced this, said the project, which would be funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other skills development agencies, would involve 40 percent female participation. Speaking at the hybrid webinar for the 10th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week 2024, Prof Davis explained that the transformative programme, when established could bolster engineering design capabilities among undergraduate students. 'Through strategic partnersh ips and innovative training methodologies, we seek to equip the next generation of engineers with the essential skills and tools required for effective design and problem-solving,' he observed. Prof Davies said the initiative would fill existing skill gaps and foster a culture of innovation within the engineering communities in the sub-region. This year's UNESCO Africa Engineering Week was held on the theme: 'Innovative Infrastructure Solutions for a Sustainable Africa: Empowering Youth Initiatives and Integrating Indigenous Engineering Principles to Shape a New Paradigm'. It seeks to inspire young engineers and students to develop innovative solutions for real-life problems. Mr Edmund Moukala, Country Director for UNESCO-Ghana, advised the youth to combine indigenous and modern practices in finding solutions to problems. He said students could create a new engineering paradigm that prioritized human needs in the natural environment. 'As we look towards the future, let us not forget the wisdom of the pa st; indigenous African engineering has much to offer in terms of sustainable solutions. 'By exploring and integrating these time-tested methods into modern engineering, we can create technology that serves humanity and safeguards the planet,' he noted. Dr Edem Inyeneobong, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Ibadan, applauded TCC-CIMET for its initiatives to equip students and young engineers with the requisite skills and support to address real-world problems. Several universities, including the University of Ibadan, Fourah Bay College, KNUST, Innovation Centre (KNUST), University of Ghana, UNESCO, among others participated in the hybrid webinar. Source: Ghana News Agency