After graduating from Ashesi with an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, David Doamekpor ’19, M’24 found himself drawn back to the institution that had shaped his formative years—this time, as a member of the pioneering class for Ashesi and ETH Zurich’s joint master’s programme in Mechatronic Engineering.

“Ashesi is home turf,” David explains. “I’m familiar with the environment and the culture, and I really enjoyed my time here as an undergraduate student.”

The decision made itself for David: ETH-Zurich and Ashesi’s global reputations for engineering excellence, track record of academic rigor, and a scholarship from Nestlé provided a compelling opportunity. And once in the programme, Doamekpor found that it delivered on its promise. A low student-to-faculty ratio allowed for intentional teaching and close interactions with professors—even one-on-one tutorials after class. “We really got to know our professors personally and built strong relationships beyond the classroom.”

That same sense of connection extended to his peers, representing seven countries across Africa. As part of the pioneering cohort for the programme, Doamekpor and his classmates quickly formed a tight-knit community, learning from each other as much as from the curriculum.

“The master’s programme gave me a 360-degree view of mechatronics,” David explains, discussing his deepened understanding of sustainable Engineering, and his newfound expertise in machine learning—”a crucial skill in today’s data-driven world.”

Tangible Professional Growth
A transformative component of the programme was David’s internship with Nestlé in Ghana, where the company’s trust in the Mechatronic Engineering master’s programme translated into autonomy for interns.  “Having the freedom to apply our knowledge to real challenges was incredibly rewarding,” says David. “There was genuine confidence in the programme, in us, and in our capacity to deliver results.”

Now employed full-time at Nestlé, Doamekpor recognizes the tangible professional growth stemming from his master’s experience. “My colleagues consistently recognise the level of detail and confidence I bring to the workplace—particularly in communicating about our work. So much of that can be directly attributed to my experiences at Ashesi.”

With a foundation in mechanical engineering and industry experience at an oil company before joining the master’s programme, Doamekpor already had one foot in the professional world. But he credits his Ashesi training—particularly the skill it gave him in how to learn quickly—as key to navigating the steep learning curves he’s encountered on the job.

“It’s a constant learning process,” he advises. “You never want to become complacent with what you know. Knowledge compounds—the more you learn, the more connections you make. Cultivating the habit of being a perpetual student is something I strive to maintain every day.”