In today’s interview, we will be featuring Heba Oyindamola Hamzat, who recently graduated as the best graduating student of Biomedical Engineering, from the prestigious University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
CAN YOU PLEASE, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR AUDIENCE?
Good morning everyone, my name is Heba Oyindamola Hamzat. A recent graduate of Biomedical Engineering, from the University of Ilorin. Thank you!
CAN YOU TELL US YOUR EDUCATIONAl BACKGROUND FROM YOUR PRIMARY TO SECONDARY, AND TELL US WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO READ THE COURSE?
I started my primary education at Hope New Age, nursery and primary school Ibadan, then proceeded to Federal Government Girls College Oyo state, for my secondary school education. I graduated in 2017.
Then I wrote the UTME in 2017 but couldn’t secure admission, due to wrong subject combination and I had to try again, and the next year, that’s 2018, I secured admission to study biomedical engineering.
What motivated me to study Biomedical engineering is my father’s interest in healthcare. He wanted me to study medicine but I wasn’t interested. I’ve always been interested in engineering, innovation, and creating things with my hands. So, a family friend, who is a professor, Professor Bamidele, told me about Biomedical engineering .
Then, I found out I can be a bridge between my father’s medical dream and my passion for engineering. So, I decided to combine both together.
THAT’S A VERY GOOD WAY TO BEING MOTIVATED. SO, TELL US, WHAT IS BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING?
Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles, to solve healthcare and medical related problems.
CAN YOU GIVE US PRACTICAL EXAMPLES? LIKE, BREAK IT DOWN FOR US TO UNDERSTAND?
Application of biomedical engineering is virtually in every healthcare sector. For example, the knee support, wrist support for people that have knee injuries, fracture or dislocation, biomedical engineers are in charge, even down to syringe we use to give injections, biomedical engineers are in charge.
Let me give you this scenario, even the hospital beds, biomedical engineers are in charge, because we cannot just give the building or development to hospital equipments to just anyhow person.
DOES IT MEAN THAT YOU GUYS WORK TOGETHER WITH DOCTORS OR HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS?
YES! We work together with the doctors, pharmacists, and every health practitioner. For example, the doctors perform the surgery, biomedical engineering must have produced or developed the instruments. For the medical lab scientists, the equipments and machines they use in labs, the biomed develop them.
WOW! I’M LEARNING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WANT TO KNOW HOW WAS IT LIKE IN SCHOOL, DOING BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING?
Studying biomedical engineering in the university was interesting and fascinating, because unlike other engineering fields, we move round different fields like, we take courses in health sciences, biological sciences, mechanical engineering and even electrical engineering.
The field is just unique, other fields do mostly calculations but for biomedical engineering, we can be doing anatomy and biology and today be doing mechanical engineering or aerodynamics. It can be challenging but that’s what made it interesting. The first time I heard about it, it was when the professor talked about it.
SO, YOU CAN THINK OF AN INSTRUMENT RIGHT NOW THAT YOU THINK ITS GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL IN THE HEALTHCARE AND YOU GO TO MAKE IT?
Yea! My final year undergraduate project was a redesign of the normal traditional mobility aid we see people use, by the roadside. That’s people living with disabilities. My partner and I, added some beneficial features to the traditional mobility aid. We made it a motorized device and also added colision prevention mechanisms. So that, whenever they are about coming in contact with any obstacle, it will give them a signal, also made it one with adjustable height. With that, it will be easy picking things from tables and moving in between chairs.
WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES TO MAKE THESE TOOLS? FOR INSTANCE, A USEFUL INSTRUMENT THAT CAN DETECT THE CAUSE OF EYE PROBLEMS?
Study about the eye, because the eye has different parts So, when we want to develop any device, we have to consider the effect, the device can have on the organ. Also, do research about existing solutions, after the research, you will find the modifications you can do to those solutions. If there’s any existing solution already, there’s no need to be repeating innovation. Also, you will look for the the best method to come about the device.
After getting the method, consider how comfortable the users will be while using the device and then proceed to manufacturing. And for some devices, you do some testing, like impact test and all of that. And then, you start manufacturing your device.
YOU SAID YOU DONT NEED TO REPEAT AN EXISTING INNOVATION, SO DOES THAT MEAN, IF THERE’S AN INNOVATION THAT NEEDS UPGRADING, YOU CANT WORK ON IT BECAUSE IT ALREADY EXISTS?
You can actually upgrade solutions. What I mean is doing the same thing that had been done before.
SO, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FIRST CLASS, WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIES YOU IMPLOYED TO GET IT?
Earning a first class wasn’t so easy. First, we have to consider the God factor, then whenever I want to study, everyday I make sure my notes are up to date. I attend classes and make sure not to miss any, I write notes in class. And also meet with my mates and lecturers who understand things better than I do. Whenever I have issues on any topic or course, then I don’t start preparing late, I start early for an exam. One thing, I discovered myself very early, I know what works for me and what doesn’t.
WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS YOU DID THAT WORKED FOR YOU?
For example; In the university, those people that go to class to read at night, that doesn’t work for me. I know for my brain to settle, I have to sleep at night. I don’t joke with my night sleep. I eat good food and I outsourced a lot of things. My final year was really stressful, from washing clothes to feeding.
HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO BALANCE SCHOOLING AND OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
I set priorities for example, in my final year, I was the vice president of my faculty’s student association. I held another post in the National Society of Black Engineers, Unilorin chapter. I did a lot of volunteering, responsibilities and also add my final year project and academics. I do scale of preference.
What activity or task is very important right now? That’s what I do every morning. I have to attend my classes. That’s my topmost priority. One reason I’m in school. Then I check if there’s any meeting for the faculty student association and also check for other responsibilities too and arrange them in order of priority.
Also, whenever I’m not going to be chanced, I inform them early enough and if there are tasks, I can reassign someone else to do it.
APART FROM ASSOCIATIONS AND VOLUNTEERING, WERE THERE SOCIAL GROUPS YOU WERE IN?
My colleague and friends call me enjoyment minister, because no matter how hard the semester is, every semester, I have a list of places I visit and most times, I force my mates to go with me and they wonder how I always hangout among my mates and colleagues. I got to know that those things have a positive impact on learning.
WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED WHILE IN SCHOOL?
Some of my challenges, while in school, were in my first year. I didn’t really relate with people of like minds. I was just a triangular student. Come to class , go to the hostel. That was what I was repeating everyday.
Another challenge was accommodation. In my first year, I couldn’t get accommodation because I got admission late. I was coming from somewhere far from the university. Apart from that, having many assignments from different lecturers and you have to do everything.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO, CAN YOU TELL ME, WHO WERE YOUR MENTORS WHILE SCHOOLING?
My role models are my parents, I admire their selflessness, and caring attributes. I have quite a number of them, let me just say, my former H.O.D. Dr Yahaya, he actually impacted me in so many ways. Supported me, encouraged me and motivated me and always looked out for me.
SO, WHAT PROJECT HAVE YOU EVER DONE THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
I will say my final year project, because the project was recognized nationally and the committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities, they organized annual competitions for undergraduates, where they come to present their projects. And the project was the regional winner and the national second runner up in the group category.
SO, CAN YOU TELL ME A TIME YOU WERE DISCOURAGED ABOUT WANTING TO TAKE THE TOP SPOT?
I would say, after my first year. There were courses I read well for but when the result came out, they were not what I was expecting. I wanted to give up at that point, but I’m glad that I came across people who motivated me to keep going.
SO, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST CLASS?
I graduated from the university of Ilorin with a CGPA of 4.91 out of 5.00, and you know that’s the CGPA is the highest ever recorded in the department of Biomedical engineering In university of Ilorin. I didn’t just graduate, I dis it in style.
SO, HOW PROUD ARE YOU ABOUT BEING A FIRST CLASS?
Really proud of my achievement, because I know it’s not a smalll thing, I’m proud. I didn’t give up,I’m proud I made everyone who believed in me proud. I’m happy I did it against all odds. I’m happy I broke a record.
Read Also: “I Worked With A Plan” – Interview With Ayodeji Akinsanya (UNILORIN Best Student) – Part 1
