Meet the man behind Tanzania's first Robotech Lab

Shaukatali Hussein is a mechatronics engineer and a Techinical Director at the Robotech labs. His childhood curiosity on how things work drove him to his career. He had a screw driver and wherever he saw something interesting he would take it apart and see how it works. He shares his career experience with Success.

What are your roles/duties as a mechatronics engineer?

As a Mechatronics engineer, we are given a flavor and taste of everything which towards the end sums up to the automation field. Our key role is in the automation sector where processes or functions that run a continuous operation/ function can be put into a system which involves less manpower. As a result, we are directed to industries and factories that perform bulk/mass production of goods which can be automated under a single system from start till end.

Is it a well-paid/highly appreciated job?

Any job that you take will only pay well once you are good at what you are doing and deliver your best. Since the future is clearly heading towards automation, I believe it is the future scope and potential for engineers.

What does it take to be a good mechatronics engineer?

The best answer for this would be being passionately curious. Being open to new ideas and learning new concepts is something that needs to be self-cultivated within us. Stay hungry, stay alert. Technology is adversely changing every moment as we speak.

What are some of the emerging issues and challenges you are facing as a mechatronics engineer?

With our diverse nature, it is the job placement. I remember during my university tenure, my friends would get jobs that are not linked to their portfolio. It is a struggle to get into the line of a pure mechatronics aligned job because companies don’t know at times where to place us with our diverse nature. But that doesn’t mean we don’t fit anywhere, we learn to adapt and to apply what we can, where we are.

Does your job affect your social life?

Personally speaking, I tend to get overworked up no doubt. Delivering something new to the community at large does take a lot of energy and time as well as effort. But if well balanced, which I am trying to do, there is no such issue with regards to life in general.

What is your typical day like?

I am awake by 5am. After prayers I go to the gym from 6-7.30 am. I am at work by 8.30-9am. Sometimes I am into marketing or meetings with clients until lunch. Then head to schools for training programs or at the training centre with students and my team. We tend to finish by 6pm where I try to brainstorm with the team on how the day went. This is done in the morning as well or at the end of the day. I take sometime to catch up on emails, personal study and development until 7.30-8pm. Head home where I spend time with family until I go to bed. My routine is not fixed honestly, but mostly falls into something like this.

How many big events have you been involved in and which has been the most interesting?

I have lost count honestly. So many things happen that I tend to lose count. My favourite event that I feel touched me personally would be the TechFest. It was a platform that brought about 600 people where the event theme was Imagination into Reality. An event hosted by the students for the students. From meeting these young energetic youths to building a team and hosting the event, we clearly left an impact and an awareness of the need for practicality in education today. We focused our efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN which include Quality Education, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure and Partnerships to achieve this goal. We also had a campaign on women empowerment #yesshecan where our message was a shout out to all the ladies that everyone can do tech and everyone has equal rights to do what they love most.

This event truly got me in tear towards the end with so much happiness seeing what all my students achieved with this opportunity. With that, TechFest 2.0 is in the making and will be happening hopefully this September.

What is the most challenging aspect of your career?

Finding my true calling. As a human we are driven into liking most of the things we do. But finding that one thing you love most and wakes you up that was missing in me. I think I am seeing the light and will take the next step forward in pursuing so.

For how long have you been working in your field?

2 years. Started as a maintenance engineer fixing machines and now provide a platform for learning, development and innovation at Robotech Labs.

If someone wants to opt for this career, what would you advise them?

If you love breaking and making things, go for it. Literally! Theres so much you can do with such a course. You are given knowledge on almost everything in the engineering sector with which you can chart your next way forward in your career. It feels like a leap of faith, but trust me the journey is truly worthwhile.