MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN REPUBLIC OF BENIN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Luc Djimon Clément AKONDE

Abstract: From the traditional Mechanical engineering through Electro-mechanic to Mechatronics Engineering the main difference between them is that the last one embedded the first two at the beginning of the integrated conceptual design in the synergistic combination. This technology is based on motion control using actuators and sensors whose production has increased recently with the development of microprocessors. Even though nowadays the Mechatronics products are used worldwide, the needs and the scope of Mechatronics products vary from one country to another one. The fields of research and applied sciences for Mechatronics applications of industrialized country are different from developing country such as Republic of Benin. Since agriculture, farm work, animal breeding, livestock and fishery are among the vital sector and the potential economic power of Republic of Benin; in this paper we will discuss the opportunities and challenges of Mechatronics Education in Republic of Benin. Therefore the research is based on innovation and creativity in a multidisciplinary design concept that is able to solve the traditional problem of the primary sector which consists of: agriculture, breeding and fishing in Republic of Benin. And thus, the traditional problem of mechanization of agriculture can be solved by the Agricultural-Mechatronization or Agrotronics. Similarly, problem solving of the breeding science passes through Mechatronics technology forward Breeding-Mechatronization or Breedtronics, and the fisheries difficulty may be overcome through this emerging engineering technology, forward Fishery-Mechatronization or Fishtronics. However, opportunities are aimed at revolutionizing the primary sector and the Educational System in Republic of Benin where some significant challenges are present.

Keywords: Mechatronics, Agricultural-Mechatronization or Agrotronics, Breeding-Mechatronization or Breedtronics, Fishery-Mechatronization or Fishtronics, Educational system in Republic of Benin

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0303109