Making it real: Student endeavours to build heavy machinery with ordinary items

Muhammad Sajid has constructed models of hydraulic excavator, dump truck

PESHAWAR: A student of Government College of Technology (GCT) Mingora, Swat has used seemingly ordinary items to create models of a hydraulic excavator and a dump truck. His teachers believe if he is provided sufficient resources to give effect to this technique, it could reap countless benefits for the country.

Muhammad Sajid, a resident of Mingora, is a final-year B.Tech student and was supervised for this project by his instructor, Professor Amir Zeb Khan. The 25-year-old used wood, plastic rings, chains, cog sets, metal rods and syringe to build these models.

Step further

Speaking to The Express Tribune over the telephone, Sajid said the excavator and dump truck operate on batteries and can also function with the help of electricity. “If the government provides me financial support and the opportunity to take this [project] a step further, I can work on building these machines,” he said.

From the outset, Sajid was interested in electrical and engineering work. “Ever since I was a child, I have been making things using household items,” the 25-year-old said.

According to Sajid, he initially discussed the idea with Amir Zeb and received guidance from his instructors to continue to work on the project.

“My teachers have been extremely cooperative and helped me during the long hours I put into making these models,” he said.

Sajid, who also helps his father run a shop in Mingora Bazaar, said he completed the models in six months at a cost of Rs5,000. “I have other ideas too, but I don’t have the resources to workon them,” he added.

A helping hand

Amir Zeb Khan told The Express Tribune Sajid is an intelligent student and can work on building machines. He urged the government to award the 25-year-old a scholarship so that he can hone his talent and obtain sufficient training.

“Swat has many talented students,” he said. “If the government focuses on ensuring a bright future for them, these students will create a positive image for the country.”  According to the professor, Sajid has helped his teachers make electricity transformers of low voltage.

“Many people come to him to have their electrical appliances repaired,” he said. “Sajid repairs them with confidence.” He said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority should provide financial support to Sajid and help him realise his dream. “Salahuddin, Sajid’s father, lives a hand-to-mouth existence,” he said. “He cannot afford to spend on his son’s education.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2016.