Philosophy

In the concept of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Mechanical Engineering department has to be well associated with other departments in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Agriculture (e.g. Agronomy); College of Health Sciences (e.g. physiology and medicine/surgery), Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Sciences.

The particular philosophy of mechanical engineering includes the pursuit of training, research and applications in the field of Mechanical Engineering to advance and achieve the main goal of the University. As a result, students in the department on resumption participate in a week-long orientation programme designed to familiarize them with the general rules and regulations of the University. The first year in the programme exposes the student to advanced knowledge in the basic sciences of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology to prepare them for full-fledged training in the mechanical engineering sciences and related professional courses. Also, a number of credit units were made compulsory in general studies and computer studies for the students.

At the end of the harmattan semester of the fourth year, they proceed on a supervised six-month industrial training programme which exposes the student to practical aspects of the curriculum in preparation for the final year specialized programmes and projects.

Mechanical Engineering is the basic profession that involved practical and physical applications of physical sciences and other organized knowledge of the properties and behavior of matters at rest and in motion, to design and manufacture machine tools, engines, equipment, instruments, etc. Mechanical Engineering harnesses energy resources and converts same into desired use with a view to advancing technology as well as improving the quality of human life. The curriculum of the programme in LAUTECH has been fashioned out to provide a broad engineering knowledge that spreads through the spectrum of engineering practices. It is therefore a foundation profession requiring highly comprehensive and carefully organized training.

Objectives

Engineers are primarily concerned with design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of systems such as machine tool, equipment and other things that people use. The engineer is however faced with the challenge of integrating technology, economy, management, human factor, marketing and attitude in his work. Mechanical engineering like other fields of engineering is a profession in which knowledge of basic and applied sciences gained by study, experience and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways of utilizing economically the material and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.

The programme is designed to train and equip students with enough technical skills and knowledge through the type, quality and content of relevant courses in the engineering drawing, AUTOCAD, design, production, thermodynamic, mechanics, metallurgy, material science, tribology, control, automation, simulation of machine tools etc. As part of efforts to achieve the laudable objectives of the programme, laboratory practices complimenting sound classroom lectures and works together with workshop practices, industrial experience, and supervised projects were all blended to produce engineers capable of coping with the challenges of a developing nation like ours. It is expected that with the content of the progamme, students will be able to sustain themselves after graduation.  

Our graduates have been trained to first, be self-employed in areas such as automobile, small engine and turbo-machine maintenance services and repairs shops, metal fabrication, job and machine shops, simple products manufacture, air conditioning and refrigeration systems design and services among others given minimum funding possible. They are also needed in both private and public sectors for power generation; manufacturing; food; public utilities; construction; aviation; road transportation; banking; defense and security; agricultural mechanization and water resources; chemical and allied industries; mining and metallurgy; communication; health services; Polytechnics and Research Institutes and Universities.

Summarily, the Mechanical Engineering Programme has been designed to produce graduates who will exhibit competence in:

1. the analysis and design of engineering systems such as machines, tools, equipment, etc;
2. the exploitation and refining of materials resources such as metal-ores for use in the production of machine tool, equipment etc;
3. research in all areas of Mechanical Engineering and related fields; and
4. be self-reliant after graduating from the university

 In line with the above objectives, a programme that integrates a period of industrial training with basic theoretical work for five years has been fashioned out to facilitate adequate professional training and development which shall lead to the award of Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering.