Skilled Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, Daniel Baidoo, enjoys solving complex problems.
However, one problem he never had to solve was studying while working full time. The two worlds just melded together in the end, and it is something he believes gave him an advantage professionally.
Studying EIT’s 52882WA – Advanced Diploma in Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Engineering for Oil and Gas Facilities allowed Daniel to bring his course knowledge to his workplace, and he couldn’t be happier.
“I work at one of the best mining companies in Ghana. I can confidently say that the knowledge helped me to grow through the ranks in the industry, and I am now more of a critical thinker and a problem solver,” Daniel muses.
As an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, he says industry-specific education gave him added purpose and some extra confidence when it comes to the mining industry.
But it is working on calibrations with his maintenance team that solidifies joy within his role.
“I relish in solving some complex problems relating to our instrumentation,” He adds.
Daniel started studying nearly a decade ago, and still stays connected with his qualification by applying it in his day-to-day work life – and maintaining relationships with fellow engineers.
It’s also helpful that he has completed two courses since 2012.
“I started studying in September 2012. I undertook a Professional Certificate of Competency in Instrumentation, Automation and Process Control and completed it that year.”
In 2013 Daniel started EIT’s 52882WA – Advanced Diploma in Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Engineering for Oil and Gas Facilities in 2013 and completed it in 2015.
“I was able to engage in the learning process and connect with other students from around the world to advance my technical knowledge and form global networks, as well as balancing my life and work commitments during that time,” he says.
Fostering good relationships with lecturers and classmates was an unexpected bonus.
Like for many students, EIT’s online learning platform allowed Daniel to work while he completed his studies
“It was somewhat challenging to balance work with my online classes but the lecturers helped by making the class sessions interactive and exciting,” he says.
That excitement was also spurred on by effective student engagement. The sheer diversity of students enrolled allowed Daniel to gain knowledge of how the engineering and mining industry operates in different countries.
“It allowed me to interact and share ideas with coursemates from diverse backgrounds in the online class space. This, to a large extent, has shaped me into an effective communicator,” he says.
According to him his time completing his 52882WA – Advanced Diploma in Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Engineering for Oil and Gas Facilities also gave a real-time application of some of the theoretical concepts he learned at work.
He also lists General Instrumentation Standard in Oil & Gas and best practice in the process, Electrical & Instrumentation Drawing and Documentation and Calibration, Installation and Maintenance as some of his favorite modules during his time as a student.
Reflecting Daniel mentions that while dedication and time management are important when working full-time and undertaking a new qualification, the right support makes all the difference.
“My day usually involved going to work on most days since I worked on a shift system. I participated in my online classes as and when they and spent my leisure hours studying and going over lecture notes,” he says.
But online learning and the eClassroom creates where lecturers and students gather in real-time, the interactive nature of these classes as well as Learning Support Officers that help students moderate their courses made the navigation of work and study simple enough.
“I was able to engage in the learning process and connect with other students from around the world to advance my technical knowledge and form global networks,” Daniel concludes.
Working while studying, for Daniel, was no problem at all.