perspectives. An online questionnaire was completed by 325 respondents from tertiary institutions in southwest

Nigeria, resulting in responses. This ensured diversity in age, gender, field of study, and academic level,

providing detailed insights into the composition of the respondent pool. Notably, the majority of participants

(295) are male, with only 30 females, highlighting a gender disparity that is common in most tertiary

institutions. The distribution across fields and academic levels illustrates the diversity of engineering disciplines

and academic advancement. For instance, electrical/electronics engineering received 153 responses, with ND 1

students being the most represented. A comprehensive evaluation of practical session challenges revealed

widespread consensus on issues such as time constraints, insufficient equipment, and overcrowded classes. The

mean values revealed the relative importance of each criterion, providing a more comprehensive understanding

of respondents' viewpoints. The study concludes with innovative strategies for improving hands-on education

Key-Words: - Challenges, engineering students, laboratory, practical content delivery, student attitudes,

Received: August 5, 2023. Revised: December 7, 2023. Accepted: February 11, 2024. Published: April 5, 2024.

Globally, the educational environment has evolved

significantly, transitioning from a traditional teacher-

and use what they learn, [3]. Using technology makes

learning easier for students. The quality of practical

classes is crucial for students in engineering, [4], [5],

[6]. [7]. This approach, which supports practical

laboratory experience to improve theoretical

future employment, [14], [15], [16]. This study

investigates how engineering students in the South-

understanding of technology education but will also

give them insights into various teaching approaches.

According to reference [17], the major function of

the engineering profession is to examine data and

resources to serve humanity. This needs a deeper

knowledge than just theory learned in the classrooms.

Having practical experience is important, showing

the need for a mix of book smarts and practice in

engineering education, [18], [19].

lessons learned and help in their career path after

graduation, [20]. Technical and Vocational Education

(TVE) plays a key role in filling the technical and

economic gap by giving students the right skills,

knowledge, and values for their jobs, [21], [22].

Practical work is crucial because it improves lab

skills, and knowledge, and helps students grasp

scientific theories better, [23], [24], [25], [26], [27].

This enhances students' learning performance,

promotes better understanding, and facilitates quicker

enhance the theoretical knowledge provided in class.

engineering students' problem-solving and project-

based learning (PBL). In Qatar, 39 students utilize

the Q approach to uncover diverse perceptions,

emphasizing intrapersonal, behavioral, and

environmental factors. The findings emphasize the

importance of teacher responsibilities and underscore

the need for more opportunities for learner agency in

PBL. The paper by [31], discusses the increasing

challenges, providing insights for understanding and

addressing real-world learning situations in

total. Females constitute a smaller proportion,

representing approximately 9.23% of all respondents.

agric & bioenvironmental engineering and civil

engineering show lower percentages. This figure

depicts the distribution of respondents across various

engineering disciplines.

Fig. 4: Chart showing the level of respondents

across different academic levels. Notably, ND 1 has

based on the evaluation criteria. Notably, key figures

show that 150 respondents agree on time limitations,

128 on inadequate equipment, and 132 on lecturer-

led apparatus setup. Surprisingly, 183 respondents

oppose overloaded sessions. In addition, 162

respondents agree that there is inadequate time for

report submission, and 191 believe that erratic power

supply is a challenge. The image effectively portrays

group perceptions, highlighting the significance of

each factor in evaluating challenges during practical

sessions.

practical session challenges, highlighting the

thus offering a comprehensive summary of the

general stance on the examined areas.

for hands-on practice. Also, adding tech-based

learning like electronic simulations to

engineering courses can offer more interactive

learning. Guiding courses and advice can help

bridge the gap between theory and practice,

improving students' academic and job growth.

This plan will get engineering graduates ready

for future challenges. The research results can

combine with artificial or computational

intelligence to create AI systems that make

approaches to enhance practical engineering

education. Recommendations include improved

drawbacks, such as gender imbalance, it provides a

solid foundation for future research. These findings

can help educators, institutions, and legislators make

changes that promote a more favorable and impactful

learning environment for engineering students.

Additionally, the practical applications of these

findings extend to improving overall educational

outcomes, fostering innovation, and equipping

engineering graduates with the skills needed to

address real-world challenges in the field.

[2] Hubbard, K., Henri, D., Scott, G., Snelling,

[4] Dewi, R. (2022). Discrepancy in Educational

[5] Gorski, A. T., Ranf, E. D., Badea, D.,

[15] Kilag, O. K., Miñoza, J., Comighud, E.,

[17] Lyle D. F. & Albert J. R. (2005), The Role of

[18] Kavak, Ş. (2023). The Evolution and Global

[20] Adelakun, N. O., Olajide, M. B., Shomoye, M.

[31] Bevilacqua, M., Milan, M., & Lilley, M.