Can Workshop Technology Get Better?

I am Vicky, a 200 level student of the Department of Computer Engineering. As it has always been, all 200 level students in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology are currently offering the compulsorily MEE 203 course, Workshop Technology, of which I’m one.

The course is divided into two aspects: theory and practical. The lectures for the theory aspect are usually received in the lecture theatre, while the practical aspect is usually done in the metal workshop.

The first four weeks of practical went well, as it was just an introduction to the course. We were taught the uses of each workshop tool and safety precautions to follow while working in the workshop. Truth be told, it’s always a fun experience for me. I’m usually pumped up whenever it’s time to go to the workshop, because it’s a way for me to clear my head. This may sound weird, but it’s the truth.

Not until last week – when the real work began. It was time for us to use our hands to make ‘magic’. We were split into groups of ten, and each member was given a piece of flat rectangular-shaped metal. The task was to carve out a particular shape from the metal, using a bench vice, a file, a hacksaw, and a chisel. This set of instruments was allocated to each group, meaning the members had to take turns in carrying out the task.

The fact that I was the only female in my group mean I don’t have to go through a lot of stress, because the guys offered to help. They believed they were stronger than I was. This made me happy and upset at the same time. Happy, because I thought I would not have to stress myself; Sad, because I actually wanted to do the work, but I knew I would tamper with the piece of metal if I tried.

It’s fair enough that those in charge want us to have a profound experience of workshop technology, but, come to think of it, do students really have to undergo this amount of stress?

I mean, technology has become too advanced for us to still be making use of manual machines.

When we, the students eventually get to the outside world, these machines would be obsolete, and we would not be able to meet up the industry requirements. Therefore, we need to be exposed to the latest technology and have versatile knowledge of what we’re being taught, so that what we’re learning would not become archaic when we get out there.

There are easier ways by which we could have carried out this practical, and an example is the use of hydraulic hacksaw machines. They are rather accurate, highly dependable, efficient, and long-lasting. They are ruggedly constructed by experts for hustle-free operations.

This is why I’m suggesting that the school management should consider getting these machines to ease the affairs of the students, and make them fit for the advanced world. If this can be done, the workshop practicals would take a new form and it would be a win-win for everyone.

PS: The outcome of my piece of metal is nothing to write home about.

PPS: I’m still upset.

This opinion story has been published on PROUDLY LADOKITE with very minimal editing to preserve the original voice of the author. All views or opinions belong to the author.