Blog Post

CSIR-INSTI Robotics Training

Robotics, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots; machines which look like humans with the ability to copy and reproduce certain human movements and functions automatically. With its application in the medical, automotive, manufacturing and astronomic fields just to name a few, robotics is the norm of the future and the future is now. In the future, I can foresee there will be a lot more robots in all spheres of life. It would have been senseless if I had told people 35 years ago that they will have computers even in theirs kitchens. The Electronics Division of CSIR-INSTI, headed by Ing. Michael Wilson is gradually becoming a household name when it comes to the training of students of varying ages ranging from 6 years to 20 years in the field of Robotics, both in the science behind it and in the practical use and operation of robots. It aims to help students take ownership of the learning process to enable them actively develop their thinking, problem-solving skills and collaborative outlook necessary to becoming innovators. It therefore did not come as a surprise when the girls from Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe who were trained by Ing. Michael Wilson and Ing. Yaw Twum-Barimah and other supporting staff at the (premises of) conference room of CSIR-INSTI emerged winners at the Global Robotics competition held in Miami-USA, bringing home to Ghana the gold medal to the pride of all. The first training programme took place in collaboration with Microbot Academy and GRAF with a( working around the clock/intensive) cumulative training period of 24 hours from 9th to 13th April 2018, using the versatile LEGO Mindstorm Robot and led to the award of a Microbot Academy’s Megabot Badge. The second training was held from 3rd to 9th of January for 12 female students, 9 from the Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe, and 3 from the Wesley Girls Senior High School, Cape Coast. The robotics training programme upon popular request is becoming a continuous activity with lessons held on every Saturdays of at a fee of GH₵350 per month which is relatively cheaper as compared to other Institutions carrying out similar programmes. An attractive packages for schools and clubs includes a week long training programme for up to twenty (20) students is also available for easy on the pocket fee of three thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵3000). A food for thought, “If you look at it from just a pure economic basis, technology is replacing all the jobs that humans once held. If we don’t train our children to imagine, to create, they’re going to be unemployed”. (Erwin McManu) For a fun, educative, hands-on and current course(s) on robotics, delivered by competent and experience engineers, (look no further) CSIR-INSTI is the place to visit.
By: Akua Boateng Agyenim & Tracy Adjeley Sackey
The Team that won the competition
14-10-2019
CSIR-INSTI Robotics Training