The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare was more than a place where Geraldine Namakawe Box ’30 said goodbye to her father. It was where she first became fascinated by airplanes.
As a child, Box was drawn to the planes taking off and landing and the constant activity that filled the airport. Years later, that fascination has grown into an interest in aerospace engineering and a desire to understand the technology that makes flight possible.
The path from that childhood interest to engineering, however, has not always been certain. Box once questioned whether she should continue pursuing engineering and was unsure where her interest in aerospace might lead. She ultimately decided to keep going, choosing Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Ashesi as a foundation for her longer-term ambitions.
She hopes to eventually pursue graduate studies in aerospace engineering and explore the field more deeply.
Her curiosity extends beyond engineering. Before coming to Ashesi, Box participated in a youth research program in Zimbabwe that examined young people’s access to health services, including mental health and substance-use support. Through the program, she listened to young people and learned more about the barriers they face when seeking care.
That curiosity also shaped how Box approached her university search. She discovered Ashesi while searching for universities and connecting with electrical engineers on LinkedIn. She came across Ashesi alumni, learned about their experiences, and began exploring the University’s approach to entrepreneurship, research, and student development.
“I was like, no, I think this is the right place for me,” she said.
At Ashesi, Box is eager to make the most of the opportunities around her. She is particularly interested in getting involved with the International Genetically Engineered Machine team (iGEM), where she hopes to work alongside students from different disciplines, gain research experience, and build connections.
She also wants to become more confident in expressing her ideas and contributing meaningfully to engineering conversations.
There is still much Box does not know about where her interests will take her. She wonders whether it is possible to pursue different interests and excel in each of them. But one question has stayed with her longer than most, one that began at an airport in Harare as she watched machines rise into the sky.
What makes them fly?
