By In the technological food chain, only those who possess world-class computer skills survive whilst those without risk the threat of extinction.
It is because of this realisation that technical drawing teachers at Wisetech College challenged their students to enter the 2017 Advanced Designs Systems (ADS) Computer Aided Design (CAD) quiz competition.
By Farai Shawn Matiashe recently in Chinhoyi
The college beat six other competitors to clinch the coveted award in the contest which was hosted by Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi recently.
Prince Edward came second whilst Mutare-based Hillcrest College settled for the third position.
Even though Wisetech College initially did not fancy their chances against seasoned competitors in this quiz competition, they were crowned champions, on their first debut.
Wisetech College holding their certificate for winning AutoCAD competition
In an interview conducted on the sideline of the competitions, Wisetech College Technical drawing teacher Mr. Hovha was impressed by his school’s performance.
Mr. Hovha is optimistic about the future of the students.
“When we started AutoCAD last term we had ten students and I am happy to say that of this ten only one is in Form 4 and the rest are in form 1. So by the time they get to Form Six and go to universities, they will already be competing globally in as far as AutoCAD is concerned,’’ said Hovha.
Through the competition, ADS – the academic partner of Autodesk International (the AutoCAD software developer) that is mandated with training, providing support services, licensing and certification of computer-aided design training programmes in Zimbabwe – seeks to enhance high school students’ understanding of computer-aided design concepts and to equip them with modern design tools.
ADS Technical director, Mr. David Ngandu said: “The competition is aimed at evaluating the students’ understanding of CAD. These students have got designing dreams which only require the right tools to be realised. ADS is here to assist them with such tools.”
Addressing attendees at the competition, TJ Associates structural engineer, Mr. Marshall Hove urged youths to embrace technology.
‘’People need to move with time and not to be stuck in the past. There is a wide misconception that AutoCAD is for use by engineers only. But that is not the case.”
Engineer Hove said the ADS AutoCAD programme prepares high school children for higher and tertiary education engineering courses.
“We want polytechnics to enrol students that are technologically advanced.’’ he said.
Engineer Hove implored female students to take up engineering courses in their tertiary education studies.
‘’AutoCAD is not confined to any particular gender as most people believe. I encourage female students to study AutoCAD at school. We need more females in the industry who can use AutoCAD in designing projects,’’ he said.
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