Ngoran Aristide Tahtinnyuy from Nso emerges Best Civil Engineering graduate at Japan’s Tokai University

From the bad roads of rural Cameroon to the cutting-edge engineering halls of Japan, Ngoran Aristide Tahtinnyuy, a young Cameroonian from Nso, Bui Division, has defied the odds to make history. She has become the first international student to graduate as the best civil engineering student at Tokai University, earning an award that places her among the brightest minds in global engineering.

Ngoran Aristide Tahtinnyu receiving award

Ngoran’s journey began with a deep-seated motivation to solve the infrastructure challenges she witnessed growing up. In many parts of Cameroon, heavy rains render roads impassable, cutting off communities from vital services and economic opportunities. This inspired her to pursue civil engineering, determined to find sustainable solutions for her homeland.

Seeking world-class expertise, she moved to Japan, where she was eager to learn from one of the most advanced engineering environments. However, the transition was anything but easy. The language barrier became an obstacle, as most of her courses and daily interactions required fluency in Japanese. Undeterred, she took private lessons, earned language certifications, and immersed herself in the local culture to bridge the gap.

Her persistence paid off when she successfully defended her Master’s thesis, focusing on the use of recycled paper and plastic waste to reinforce weak soils for unpaved roads. The research offered a groundbreaking solution for sustainable construction, merging environmental consciousness with engineering durability.

This innovative approach and academic excellence earned her the title of Most Outstanding Graduate in Civil Engineering, a recognition that cements her status as a trailblazer.

“This award is not just for me, it is for every African student striving to break barriers... I hope it inspires others to dream big and push beyond their limits.” she said 

Looking ahead, Ngoran aims to contribute to infrastructure development in Cameroon and Africa, collaborating with global institutions to bring sustainable engineering solutions to the continent.

On her message to young Cameroonians and Africans, she said  “be ambitious, be prepared, and be persistent. Success is not about where you come from, but how determined you are to achieve your goals.”

By Bakah Derick with reports 

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