Developing Structural and Civil Engineering (SCE) Curriculum in sub-Sahara African Nations on the Foundation of the Developed Nations, in Training, Practices and Technology – Nigeria as Case Study

Abstract

The training and practice of structural and civil engineering (SCE) education in developing nations, especially the sub-Sahara African nations, are not as robust and dynamic when compared to what are operating in the developed Nations of the World. Available resources in the public domain show strong evidence of a sustained fundamental link of SCE training and practice of the developed nations to the classical training of the ancient Caesar’s Rome. This paper looks into the training and practice of structural and civil engineering about 2000 years ago in the imperial Caesar’s Rome. The data used were collected from the information available from the public domain. The results showed that: (i) the curriculum for SCE education was very wide and deep and it is in partnership with the State (ii) the training together with the attendant skill development program/schemes began early at Roman home, (iii) SCE is deeply connected to Latin and Greek languages, and (iv) a heavy dependence on classical philosophical studies existed.  It is thus concluded that the curriculum for SCE engineering in developing nations be tied to these foundations.