Zainab Olawunmi Giwa: The FUTA Student Who Sees a Future in Welding
The future for Zainab Giwa , a final year student of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) is clear . Zainab, who is already adept in Welding and associated skills , plans to pursue a career in underwater Welding Engineering.
Read the enthralling story of a determined young woman who is already carving a niche for herself in a male dominated field :
1. Tell us a bit about your background and education
My name is Giwa Zainab Olawunmi, I was raised in Lagos State, Nigeria. I am from Lagos State’s Ikeja local government, I’m Awori. I come from a loving, devout family and identify as a Muslim. My family are the best people in my life. I completed my elementary education at Tukur International Schools in Lagos, my junior secondary education at Doctor Soyemi Memorial Secondary School in Festac Town, Lagos state, and my senior secondary education at Federal Government College Ilorin, Kwara state.
I then attended Yaba College of Technology before being accepted to Futa in 2017 and I’m currently a 500level student studying Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. In future, I hope to pursue a career in Underwater welding Engineering.
2. Why Metallurgical Engineering
After secondary school, I wanted to study Aeronautical Engineering but money constraints could not let me, then I got to know about Metallurgical and Materials Engineering when I wrote my first Jamb in 2015 and I did not make it to Uniben. So, a neighbor of mine which I would call a Mentor Mr ThankGod told me of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. I looked it up on Google and decided that I was going to study Metallurgical and Materials Engineering because of how it centered around all engineering field and the wide opportunities it comes with, considering the fact that he finished his OND AND HND from Yabatech, he advised me not to wait a year sitting at home instead I should just do a change of course and institution and opt in for Yabatech, which I did. I got to learn about the course so well and it made me apply for the same course in Futa.
3. How did your foray into welding start
My passion for Welding and Fabrication started while I was a student in Yabatech, during my siwes days in 2017 I was working in one Shipyard company at Apapa and I was in the construction department…I was intrigued as to how the welding and Fabrication of Fairway Buoys and mounting them inside the Sea was carried out…It was that period I realized that Welding and Fabrication was the profession I was going to pursue.
4.Any formal training and where
The formal training I had was during my SIWES days in Yabatech, where I learnt the practical and fundamental aspect of Welding and Fabrication at a Firm in Apapa, Lagos.
5. What’s the connection between Welding and Metallurgical Engineering
Welding and Fabrication and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering are interdependent fields that rely on each other for innovation and advancement.
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering helps us to know the effects of welding on microstructure of steel helping to predict and Weld cracking.
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering helps us to select and design the proper type of welding material suitable for fabrication.
6 How has your experience in Welding helped you in your academic Program in FUTA
My welding experience in FUTA has helped me academically improve by making me develop practical problem-solving skills, it has helped me to become precise accurate about any practical I’m carrying out and it has helped me with the theoretical aspect of Welding and Fabrication helping me to visualize everything I’ve learnt. It has definitely helped me to be able to showcase my skill beyond the theoretical realm.
7. How should welders and those in similar protection protect themselves
Welding and Fabrication Engineers should at all times wear personal protective equipment from injury, burns and accidents. Put on your Welding googles, Laboratory coat, nose masks, hand gloves and boots while working to avoid welding spatter, burns and to prevent the eyes from ultraviolet light.
8. Major challenge you face as a female welder
Reactions of your fellow students
One major challenge I face as a Female Welder is because I am a Female. The male counterpart see me as not too strong to be able to handle the work or face the pressure it comes with, but I’ve always proved them wrong which is why I would not really see it as a challenge but as a motivation to keep doing what I love most.
My fellow students got to know that I started learning Welding and Fabrication in 2016 and they became overwhelmed by my tenacity and strength which even made them support me more.
9.Have you every thought of quiting
What keeps you going
I have at some point thought of quitting when I received negative reactions from my co-workers, it always made me question my gender but God, my family and consistency helped me not to quit.
10.And Your Parents Reaction
My parents have always being supportive of whatever decision I make pertaining to my course of study or field of work, my Family are the greatest support system in my life and I appreciate them everytime.
11. What Keeps you going
My background keeps me going, knowing fully well of where am coming from is not rosy it makes me what to do more, my passion to also do something different from the usual and something I love keeps me going too.
12. Is Welding something you want to adopt as your major Profession
Yes, Welding and Fabrication is what I want to adopt as a Major profession after Futa. Infact I would like to do my Master’s in Underwater Welding Engineering and I’m open to great opportunities that comes my way regarding Welding and Fabrication and everything it comes with.
*Credit: Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Facebook page*
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