By PROSPER MAKENE
Subira Mwakyoma, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering from the National Institute of Transport (NIT), was recently awarded a medal and certificate as one among young engineers from the aviation industry.
Subira who is currently working with Tanzania’s national airline (ATCL) as aircraft engineer received the award and certificate recently during the Engineers Registration Board (ERB)’s annual meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking in an exclusive interview shortly after receiving the award, Subira said: “I am very excited to receive this award and certificate as one of the best engineer from the aviation industry.”
“Receiving an award that not only recognizes my success, but also recognizing my early career as a female engineer,” She declared.
Subira further added: “It is important to realize that this award wouldn’t be possible without my parents, lecturers, co-workers and my mentors that taught me everything needed to receive this recognition.”
However, asked if she had chosen to be an Aircraft engineer, Subira replied, “I didn’t have a dream of being an aircraft engineer; my dream at a time when I grew up was to be a pilot, a career that was totally in my mind during my childhood. I failed to join pilot studies due to the high cost, since such courses are offered outside the country.”
She added: “After finishing high school studies, it was when I realized that aircraft engineering is also a very good course. That’s where I went to the National Institute of Transport (NIT) and asked to join the three years bachelors’ degree programme.
On the question on what she likes about her job today, she said: “What I love about my job is to work with safety first, as an engineer it is my responsibility to work more carefully to ensure the plane is safe for passengers.”
Insisting, “Aircraft engineering course has given me a very strong connection with many people in this industry locally and abroad. Thank God that I met with senior engineers and developed the skills for success. The programme has also enhanced my skills in entirety.”