The motivation is simple: Africa needs qualified African engineers to promote sustainable development in Africa.  HPW is committed to the core initiative of this program -- the promotion of Sub-Saharan African leaders who will take responsibility for the future of sustainable development in the region.  This includes educating motivated and qualified emerging decision-makers from Africa, particularly in the areas of production, technology and engineering that are crucial to advancing our industry and the success of HPW in Africa.  Our experience in the region has shown that providing training and continuing education for our employees is central to the success of the work we do in Africa.

The ETH-Ashesi mechatronics engineering curriculum encompasses a wide range of core knowledge chosen to empower the next generation of African leaders.  Students will be given a better understanding of automation and production engineering, as well as humanities, social and political sciences, economics and management, and the broader interdependencies relevant to industrial development of the region.  This innovative internationally recognized graduate program will be taught in tandem between faculty of both universities. The partnership will support the transfer of knowledge in both directions. The degree program is structured as a series of blocks over three years, graduates of the joint program will be awarded a double degree from both universities.

HPW participates in this unique initiative together with five other reknowned partnering foundations and financial partners such Bühler, Nestlé or ABB.  HPW will provide two selected students with full scholarships and direct employment after graduation in one of the HPW production facilities.  Close mentoring and support by HPW managers, and the availability of internships will provide students relevant hands-on working knowledge and a chance to test their know-how in a working environment.  We are happy to be able to make use their experience, and state-of-the-art production engineering knowledge to strengthen our facilities in Africa and promote local talents accordingly. 

The first scholarship students successfully began their studies in 2022.  The next scholarship students are scheduled to begin in 2023. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the joint partners of the ETH-Ashesi mechatronics engineering program. And the programs diverse students, especially those from francophone Africa.