Healthcare systems in low and middle-income countries across Africa are under-resourced despite carrying a disproportionally high burden of disease. Across the continent, there is massive demand for professionals who can translate engineering principles into the fields of health and medicine to develop and strengthen healthcare delivery systems tailored to the local environment. To help meet this need, Ashesi is starting a bioengineering course and looking for funding partners.
$250k will repurpose an existing structure into a wet lab, providing a needed space for students to engage in more hands-on learning. Additional funds would allow Ashesi to purchase specialized bioengineering equipment to enhance existing research, teaching, and lab capacity.
A wet lab is designed with appropriate plumbing, ventilation, and equipment to allow for scientific research and experimentation. Researchers can safely handle chemicals and other potentially hazardous liquids in these spaces, which are carefully designed to avoid spillage and contamination.
Construction of a wet lab will also:
- Be foundational to launching new bioengineering electives, enriching Ashesi’s curriculum.
- Encourage more women to pursue engineering degrees at Ashesi, as bioengineering has strong appeal to women.
- Enable students in other disciplines to engage in more kinds of experiential learning.
- Open doors for students and faculty interested in exploring medicine, chemistry, and other fields. The opportunities are endless.
In 2015, only 20% of all
engineering B.S. degrees awarded in
the U.S. went to women.However, 41% of biomedical degree
recipients were women in
that same year.**From the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Contact the Ashesi University Foundation to explore naming opportunities.