The discovery of materials has defined the industrial revolutions experienced through the ages; this is because no new technology can be developed without the critical contribution of Materials Science and Engineering which is primary to the development of new and specialised material, while also improving the performance of existing materials. 

While Africa is home to a wealth of natural resources, the continents’ countries lack have a pressing need for a pipeline of specialists and experts who can contribute new technologies that will solve imminent and future challenges in the continent. In this context, there is a pressing need to attract many young people into this field, and thereby secure the future and development of the field of Metallurgical Engineering. 

One of the imminent challenges that we currently face globally is the increase of instances of physical disability in humans. A large portion of this population consists of adults that are aged sixty years old and older, who are prone to diseases that affect their bones, tissues and other body parts. In addition to old age which affects a large population of citizens, disability by accidents, such as road accidents, is another major contributor to global disability statistics, leading to an increase in demand for medical material which can be accessed across social and financial brackets, allowing people who are living with and affected by disability the means to enjoy a better quality of life.