“If you’re an engineering student you must build something, no long essays for thesis” — President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré

The quote reads, “We will no longer support long essays. If you are an engineering student, for your thesis, you must manufacture, copy, or build something.”

The message has resonated with many social media users, who argued that practical, project-based learning better equips engineering graduates with hands-on skills needed in today’s workforce.

Others said similar approaches could help bridge the gap between university education and industry demands across many African countries.

While many users applauded the statement as a progressive approach to technical education, others questioned its authenticity and called for official confirmation of when and where the remarks were made.

The discussion has also reignited broader conversations about educational reforms, innovation and the need for universities to strike a balance between academic research and practical application. At the time of writing, the widely shared quote continues to circulate online, with its original source yet to be independently verified.