Engineers have advocated the inclusion of innovation and creativity in educating young female engineers. An Associate professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Olayinka Adewunmi, made the call at a webinar entitled: “Innovation Challenges as Catalyst for Increasing Female Participation in Engineering” organised by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos chapter.

Adewunmi emphasised that such education is crucial because more females are needed to revolutionise the engineering profession. She also stressed the need for engineers to promote creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and talent growth.

She explained that creativity and innovation in engineering are not about technical modifications but new approaches to solving simple to complex societal problems.

Adewunmi, who doubles as the Acting Director, Innovation and Technology Management Office, University of Lagos, encouraged stakeholders to invest in innovation challenges that showcase the entrepreneurial talents of the female engineering students that drive networking and mentorship and improve the confidence of young engineers.

According to her, vision-driven innovation challenges must meet certain criteria that include creative and novel solutions, thinking outside the box, challenging ineffective traditional methods, creating new designs or improving existing ones and connecting with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The kind of skill and knowledge needed has gone from simple to complex, but when talking about problem solving, we need to look from simple to complex, especially for young female engineers.

“Critical skills needed to drive creativity and innovation in engineering include excellent communication skills that involve the ability to present ideas and solutions clearly, sustainability driven, and passion with action to contribute to the growing development of engineering disciplines.

“To produce engineers that play a critical role in providing technological solutions to societal challenges, innovation and creativity must be embedded in the education of engineers,” she said.

To her, young female engineers also require the ability to leverage computational and experimental tools for design and analysis, apply theoretical knowledge taught in the classroom to solve problems and can work in teams on residential home and water projects, as well as other infrastructural projects.

Chairman of the Lagos chapter, APWEN, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, reaffirmed commitment to fostering creativity, problem-solving, and increased female participation in engineering. She said the theme is both timely and crucial, noting that innovation drives progress.

Owolabi challenged female engineers to embrace innovation that leads to transformative solutions and shapes the profession and society. She said the chapter is on a mission to inspire female engineers through its ‘SHEnovation programme’, encourage them to think outside the box, embrace cutting-edge technology, and develop solutions that will transform industries.