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Personality of The Week: Samuel Baffour Agyei

Samuel Baffour - POTW

Meet our last student personality for the 2019/2020 academic year. Our Personality of The Week is a level 200 Material Engineering student and holds a number of positions in various organizations. Enjoy the interview with him.

Who is Mr Samuel Baffour?
Baffour Agyei Samuel is a personable and astute individual who is aspiring to be a Materials Engineer and Entrepreneur. I hail from Bekwai in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Currently, I'm an Executive Board Member for Ealivery Ghana Limited and the Vice-President of EPIV Foundation Ghana. I'm also the Deputy Organising Secretary for Global Youth Leaders Forum.


What was your experience like in secondary school?
It was a great time during my stay at Seventh-Day Adventist Senior High School, Bekwai-Ashanti. Though challenging, I believe I learnt a lot from my high school days. As a member of the National Science and Math Quiz Team, I had an added responsibility to do more.

Materials Engineering, were you given the programme or you really wanted to do it? What informed your decision if you chose it?
Growing up, I developed the love for Engineering and the desire to solve real-life problems. My senior brother who is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering ignited my desire to be an engineer. So right after my senior high school education, I took it upon myself to read more about engineering.

I established the fact that Materials Engineering is arguably the most diverse field of engineering. So I developed the interest to discover more about the structure-property relationship of materials and how new materials can be engineered. I love to be at the forefront of Technology.

How has the program been so far?
I would say interesting, but has not been easy, to be honest. At this moment, I can confidently see myself as a Materials person because I have started taking actual Material Engineering courses such as Principles of Material Science, Phase Transformation, Materials Processing. These have boosted my love for this program exponentially.

Why did you choose KNUST among all the other institutions in the country and beyond?
KNUST, which is believed by many to be the premier science and technology university in Africa, is the best place for any young aspiring Technologist to develop their potential. Being under the tutelage of highly-achieved professors and researchers with high reputation all over the world is enough motivation for me to choose KNUST ahead of all the other tertiary institutions in the country.

How has campus KNUST been for you so far? 
I would say KNUST offers one of the best environments for me to develop my potentials as a young man. I mean, the series of educative programs such as leadership seminars and skills training organized on campus offer a huge platform for me to expand my knowledge base beyond what is taught in the classroom.

Conti! Power!! Conti! Power!!!! Being an affiliate of the best hall in West Africa, Continental Unity Hall also gave me an added excitement. As a continental, campus is never boring because you're assured of Friday night morale.

Has there been any challenge pertaining to Materials Engineering?
I would say No!


What position have you held so far in your academic life?
I have held a number of leadership positions so far. These include:

Executive Board Member - Ealivery Ghana Limited-2019
Vice-President, EPIV Foundation Ghana-2019
Director - Planning, Public Speaking, Competition and Mobility Department, (Ealivery Ghana Limited)-2019
Deputy Organizing Secretary - Global Youth Leaders Forum-KNUST Chapter
Current President - Roman Catholic Junior High School Old Students Association-2014 Year Group 2017
Member of the National Science and Maths Quiz Team, Seventh-Day Adventist Senior High School. (2016-2017 academic year)

Please tell us how you are able to manage social and academic responsibilities.
I would say my secret is proper planning and self-discipline because in this era, it is very difficult to effectively combine academic and social responsibilities. I strive to seek a balance between social life and academics.

Any achievements or special awards? 
I led a team of students to design and develop ‘An Electronic Soil Moisture Sensor Circuit’ during ‘The National Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation Education Program’ in 2017. I was awarded the Overall Best Student of the year 2014 at Saint John the Evangelist Junior High School.

I was awarded the Overall Best Chemistry Student in the year 2017 in Seventh-Day Adventist Senior High School, Bekwai.

What or who inspires you?
The desire to cause change always inspires me to do more. One person that I take a lot of inspirations from is the CEO of Springfield Group, Mr. Kevin Okyere.

Which extracurricular activities do usually engage in? 
I love to read a lot of entrepreneurship and leadership books. I love football and I do play football during my leisure hours. I also love to read about latest technologies.

How do you see the Department so far? Are there any improvements you would want to see? 
Our department is blessed with top-level professors and researchers with huge reputation in academia. I think the major problem is their number, the load that is being handled by about ten lecturers is enormous.

I also believe that the Department should treat more Materials and Metallurgical engineering courses in first year so as to boost students' interest at the very early stages.

When it comes to Materials Engineering, what field are you particularly interested in and why?
Advanced materials and Nanotechnology. This I believe is the most interesting field in the materials industry. Advanced Materials Technology is the new home for all technology-related materials applications and research; with particular focus on advanced device design, fabrication and integration, as well as new technologies based on novel materials. I see this filed to be the future of the Materials Industry.

What do you think about the way we are taught here in the university? Is it helpful especially for your program of study? 
I think there is still room for improvement. The class size is in a way, far beyond standard. Engineering requires not only a strong theoretical and analytical background but also practical skills which is only developed through consistent practice. I believe the Department should look at providing more hands-on training beyond the lab sessions.

I would like to appeal to the Department to take a second look at some of the borrowed courses such as economics, I think economics is essential in engineering but the content of economics delivered should be channeled in the direction of engineering.

The Core of Engineering Technology is MATESAs motto, what does this mean to you?
The Core means the pivot or fulcrum, thus the part of something that is central to its existence. Without the right materials no other field of Engineering is functional. From electronics to aerospace, automobile to petroleum; Materials Engineers play an integral role in the advancement of these fields. The discovery or advancement of new materials yields advancement in the other fields of engineering.

Are there any improvements you would want to see in MATESA?
Obviously Yes. In as much as I appreciate the fact that MATESA is working hard especially the Editorial Board, I believe there is a lot to be done.

I would like to see a MATESA that is focused on the capacity building of its members beyond what is been taught in class. A MATESA whose activities and programs are channeled towards career development for its members.

Also, the relationship between Alumni-Faculty-Current students is another place that I believe as a student association we should improve upon by bringing up initiatives that involve both Alumni and Faculty.

Do you think our world needs Materials and Metallurgical Engineers? 
We live a world of Technology and as the core of Engineering Technology, Materials and Metallurgical Engineers remain and will continue to be invaluable to our world of technology. Any industry that uses materials needs a materials engineer.

Any message for Government and other stakeholders regarding Materials and Metallurgical Engineering? 
I think Ghana is less developed not for any reason but the low-level of advancement in the materials industry. The main ingredients required to develop our country come from materials engineering.

From metals to composites; polymers to ceramics, materials engineering offers students the knowledge that can easily be turned into business to drive the country's economy. I urge all stakeholders to invest into the research and development of this field in the country because it is the engine, hence it deserves a lot of attention.

I also urge the students to pursue the entrepreneurship opportunities offered by this program. Waste recycling alone is an industry worth billions of dollars.

What should we expect from you in the next few years?
Nothing much but someone who is going to make a change – an entrepreneur with passion for philanthropy and a motivational speaker. I also want to pursue a career in Research and Academia.

Please share with us your last words.
Thank you very much for the opportunity offered me. I want to send this message to everyone, that you have a responsibility to make our world a better place for all. Always strive to "live up to the billion".

You're unique in your own way, and remember that "Imitation is Limitation”. I always say to my friends that before you spend a second of your time, it is still part of your future, the moment you spend it, you can only benefit or lose from it. Use every second to make yourself a better person than you were before. I love you all.

Thank you Mr Samuel for having time to share with us your ideas, knowledge and experience.

 Dear reader, you would attest to the fact that you've learnt a lot today. Stay glued and Anticipate our next Personality as we enter into the #lecturersawarenessmonth.

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