International Women in Engineering Day: Kanyinsola Olayomi, Graduate Lecturer in Engineering

In anticipation of the upcoming International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, a day dedicated to honouring the remarkable accomplishments of women engineers worldwide and highlighting the incredible career prospects for girls in this dynamic industry, we spoke with Kanyinsola Olayomi. Kanyin has recently joined GC as a Graduate Lecturer in Engineering and offers valuable insights into the field.

Kanyin, can you tell us a bit about your professional background?

Prior to joining Gloucestershire College, I worked at Stem Mets Resources as a Project Director for a partnership programme with Airbus called the Airbus Little Engineer Space Programme. A large part of my role was student outreach and engagement with STEM programmes, including working with Chevron to introduce their STEM 2019 programme in Nigeria.   

In 2021 I completed a Space Placement in Industry (SPIN) - an internship created by the UK Space Agency - at UK Launch Services Ltd in London where I worked on an exciting project titled Automating and Digitising the Spaceport of the Future. I developed 8 theoretical solutions, one of which was Digital Twins for In-Transit Inspection of Spacecraft. At the end of my time at UK Launch Services Ltd, I was invited to present my project at the UK Space Conference 2021.

How did you go into lecturing and what are you specialisms?

From my time at secondary school and university, I encountered wonderful teachers/professors who taught me about science and the complex principles that underpin engineering in a simpler way. My teachers imparted knowledge, business etiquette and instilled the confidence I required to believe that I could have a voice in an engineering industry that at the time was still perceived to be quite male dominated. I decided very early on that if I ever got the opportunity to be in a position where I could impact the lives of young people positively, I would endeavour to replicate these teaching methods and add the expertise I gained from personal experience. This was the start of how I explored the possibility of venturing into lecturing.

As for the specialisms, they include modelling dynamic crack propagation in fibre metal laminate structures and exploring parallels between the process sector and industry 4.0

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy teaching students and seeing that moment when they get the concepts they have been taught. I look forward to seeing them pass their exams.

Tell us a bit about some of the courses that you deliver. What skills do they bring to our learners and employers?

In the Mechanical Measurements course, students learn how to use linear measurement equipment, comparators, statistical process control, and process capability and inspection techniques. This helps develop their analytical skills in addition to giving the students an appreciation of the importance of assuring quality in manufactured engineering components.

As for the Advanced Manufacturing Techniques unit, it helps to nurture the problem-solving skills of the learners and encourages them to be discerning about which strategy from kaizen to Six Sigma to lean manufacturing to use to boost productivity and increase the competitive advantage of a business.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to sketch, and I like playing laser quest.

We wish Kayin all the best as she embarks on her new role at the College. On this special occasion of Women in Engineering Day, we also congratulate all the exceptional women who are already making strides as engineers or who aspire to pursue a career in this field.

To find out more about our Engineering courses and apprenticeships, visit this page