Our Personality for this week is an outstanding gentleman who aspires to be a magnate in the field of Mining. Aside sharing with us his knowledge and experience, he reminisces a humorous experience at his alma mater and you just want to read the interview to the end.
Who is Mr Julius?
I am Kakrah Boakye Julius, born on May 22, 1998. I hail from Bekwai in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. I am the last born of four children.
What was your experience like in secondary school?
I am an alumnus of St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast and I offered General Science.
I had many experiences but one I really remember is my first 3 weeks in school. I looked much like someone who has been in the school for long so I usually used to send and punish my own mates.
St Augustine's College also helped me shape my lifestyle especially the way I dress.
Metallurgical Engineering, were you given the programme or you really wanted to do it? What informed your decision if you chose it?
I did choose Metallurgical Engineering although I had little knowledge about the programme. Having lived in Obuasi since infancy, I developed an interest in the mining business; and having heard that metallurgy was related to mining, I was driven to choose the programme.
How has the programme been so far?
So far, the programme has been very interesting. In first year, things were a bit slow because our courses were not related to metallurgy. Upon reaching second year, however, and studying courses such as Principles of Materials Science, Assaying and Mineral Processing, my interest has been further developed in this course.
Why did you choose KNUST among all the other institutions in the country and beyond?
I have always been interested in engineering and in Ghana so far, KNUST has the best facilities for engineering compared to other tertiary institutions in the country. Studying outside the country was not an option for me.
How has campus KNUST been for you so far?
I am a proud Royal, though living in the hall was a bit challenging. The noise level was too high especially on weekends which caused some discomfort. Aside that, all the programmes organised by the hall and the university in general were entertaining and educative. Overall, I have come to develop a lot of skills on campus KNUST.
Has there been any challenge pertaining to Metallurgical Engineering?
In first year, it was a bit challenging to relate the courses to the broad overview of metallurgy and so personal studies was a quite difficult task for me.
What position have you held so far in your academic life?
In primary school, I served as a compound overseer and in secondary school, I was the editorial board secretary as well as the ushers' president. I also worked as the SRC representative for my class for two years.
I also occupied the portfolio of Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurs (SAGE) financial secretary and I currently serve as the assistant secretary for my year group.
Please tell us how you are able to manage social and academic responsibilities.
I have a daily plan that guides me on how to appropriately apportion time to each activity that needs to be done in the day. I have learnt to discipline myself to go strictly by the plans I make and it has been extremely helpful so far.
Any achievements or special awards?
I was awarded second place for Gentleman of the College in my school.
What or who inspires you?
I pick up valuable lessons from various people along the way. Ultimately, the Word of God inspires me.
Which extracurricular activities do usually engage in?
I have an interest and skill in video editing. At leisure, I read Christian literature. I also compose and write songs and spoken word articles.
How do you see the Department so far? Are there any improvements you would want to see?
Currently I see the department being run well but I think there are quite a number of things that could be done to make things more effective. Practical sessions and field trips should be organized frequently, even for first years.
When it comes to Metallurgical Engineering, what field are you particularly interested in and why?
I am interested in Extractive Metallurgy because I love to mine the valuable minerals from their ore and refine them into purer form.
What do you think about the way we are taught here in the university? Is it helpful especially for your program of study?
The way we are taught is not all that helpful because we do not have a feel of our courses. This is due to few practical sessions organized and so if this area is considered we will really improve.
Examination questions should also be more practical and not always repeating past questions since that does not push students to do more research about their course.
The Core of Engineering Technology is MATESA’s motto, what does this mean to you?
Core means the most important part of a thing; so MATESA being the core of engineering means we play a very vital role in all the Engineering Programmes and none of them can do without us.
Are there any improvements you would want to see in MATESA?
Yes. There should be good programs organized in our Department to bring our people closer to the industry. Group studies should also be intensified to help us study more.
Do you think our world needs Materials and Metallurgical Engineers?
Yes the world really needs us. This is because we function in every aspect of engineering by providing the materials they need to make products.
We also help improve the living of people in our societies by providing good products that will affect their lives positively.
Any message for government and other stakeholders regarding Materials and Metallurgical Engineering?
Since no producer in Ghana can do without us, it is therefore very important that Government invests a lot into us.
The government should provide well-equiped laboratories to all institutions offering these two programmes to enable the students to have more ideas on what they study in class.
There should be a myriad of scholarship opportunities for us too.
What should we expect from you in the next few years?
In the next few years, the world should expect a metallurgical Engineer with good ethical codes who is poised to make changes in Ghana and the world at large; with knowledge gained from offering this programme.
Please share with us your last words.
I am tired of students saying that these two good courses were given to them and that they did not choose them.
It's about time we made people know the essence of offering Materials or Metallurgical Engineering so that they can develop interest in studying them.
All those currently offering any of these two programmes should also note that they are really on the right path and so they should continue to put in more effort to get to the top.
Thank you Mr Julius for having time to share with us your knowledge and experience.
Thank you too for the opportunity.
Dear cherished reader, we hope you enjoyed the interview. Anticipate our last student personality for the academic year!
 |
| Mr Julius Boakye Kakrah |
Who is Mr Julius?
I am Kakrah Boakye Julius, born on May 22, 1998. I hail from Bekwai in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. I am the last born of four children.
What was your experience like in secondary school?
I am an alumnus of St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast and I offered General Science.
I had many experiences but one I really remember is my first 3 weeks in school. I looked much like someone who has been in the school for long so I usually used to send and punish my own mates.
St Augustine's College also helped me shape my lifestyle especially the way I dress.
Metallurgical Engineering, were you given the programme or you really wanted to do it? What informed your decision if you chose it?
I did choose Metallurgical Engineering although I had little knowledge about the programme. Having lived in Obuasi since infancy, I developed an interest in the mining business; and having heard that metallurgy was related to mining, I was driven to choose the programme.
How has the programme been so far?
So far, the programme has been very interesting. In first year, things were a bit slow because our courses were not related to metallurgy. Upon reaching second year, however, and studying courses such as Principles of Materials Science, Assaying and Mineral Processing, my interest has been further developed in this course.
Why did you choose KNUST among all the other institutions in the country and beyond?
I have always been interested in engineering and in Ghana so far, KNUST has the best facilities for engineering compared to other tertiary institutions in the country. Studying outside the country was not an option for me.
How has campus KNUST been for you so far?
I am a proud Royal, though living in the hall was a bit challenging. The noise level was too high especially on weekends which caused some discomfort. Aside that, all the programmes organised by the hall and the university in general were entertaining and educative. Overall, I have come to develop a lot of skills on campus KNUST.
Has there been any challenge pertaining to Metallurgical Engineering?
In first year, it was a bit challenging to relate the courses to the broad overview of metallurgy and so personal studies was a quite difficult task for me.
What position have you held so far in your academic life?
In primary school, I served as a compound overseer and in secondary school, I was the editorial board secretary as well as the ushers' president. I also worked as the SRC representative for my class for two years.
I also occupied the portfolio of Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurs (SAGE) financial secretary and I currently serve as the assistant secretary for my year group.
Please tell us how you are able to manage social and academic responsibilities.
I have a daily plan that guides me on how to appropriately apportion time to each activity that needs to be done in the day. I have learnt to discipline myself to go strictly by the plans I make and it has been extremely helpful so far.
Any achievements or special awards?
I was awarded second place for Gentleman of the College in my school.
What or who inspires you?
I pick up valuable lessons from various people along the way. Ultimately, the Word of God inspires me.
Which extracurricular activities do usually engage in?
I have an interest and skill in video editing. At leisure, I read Christian literature. I also compose and write songs and spoken word articles.
How do you see the Department so far? Are there any improvements you would want to see?
Currently I see the department being run well but I think there are quite a number of things that could be done to make things more effective. Practical sessions and field trips should be organized frequently, even for first years.
When it comes to Metallurgical Engineering, what field are you particularly interested in and why?
I am interested in Extractive Metallurgy because I love to mine the valuable minerals from their ore and refine them into purer form.
What do you think about the way we are taught here in the university? Is it helpful especially for your program of study?
The way we are taught is not all that helpful because we do not have a feel of our courses. This is due to few practical sessions organized and so if this area is considered we will really improve.
Examination questions should also be more practical and not always repeating past questions since that does not push students to do more research about their course.
The Core of Engineering Technology is MATESA’s motto, what does this mean to you?
Core means the most important part of a thing; so MATESA being the core of engineering means we play a very vital role in all the Engineering Programmes and none of them can do without us.
Are there any improvements you would want to see in MATESA?
Yes. There should be good programs organized in our Department to bring our people closer to the industry. Group studies should also be intensified to help us study more.
Do you think our world needs Materials and Metallurgical Engineers?
Yes the world really needs us. This is because we function in every aspect of engineering by providing the materials they need to make products.
We also help improve the living of people in our societies by providing good products that will affect their lives positively.
Any message for government and other stakeholders regarding Materials and Metallurgical Engineering?
Since no producer in Ghana can do without us, it is therefore very important that Government invests a lot into us.
The government should provide well-equiped laboratories to all institutions offering these two programmes to enable the students to have more ideas on what they study in class.
There should be a myriad of scholarship opportunities for us too.
What should we expect from you in the next few years?
In the next few years, the world should expect a metallurgical Engineer with good ethical codes who is poised to make changes in Ghana and the world at large; with knowledge gained from offering this programme.
Please share with us your last words.
I am tired of students saying that these two good courses were given to them and that they did not choose them.
It's about time we made people know the essence of offering Materials or Metallurgical Engineering so that they can develop interest in studying them.
All those currently offering any of these two programmes should also note that they are really on the right path and so they should continue to put in more effort to get to the top.
Thank you Mr Julius for having time to share with us your knowledge and experience.
Thank you too for the opportunity.
Dear cherished reader, we hope you enjoyed the interview. Anticipate our last student personality for the academic year!
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