On the 16th of March 2023, the team from Kumasi Technical University's Faculty of Engineering and Technology visited Tema Oil Terminal (TOT), a hydrocarbon distribution company located in the Kpone industrial area. The purpose of the visit was to explore potential areas of collaboration between the company and the university.
During the visit, the team from Kumasi Technical University, led by Engr. Prof. Robert Nagre, engaged with the management of TOT to identify potential areas of collaboration. The team consisted of experts from various departments, including the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, among others.
Both organizations agreed to develop, sign, and implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their collaboration. The representatives from TOT suggested that the university could help enhance their safety protocols and training programs for their employees.
The team from Kumasi Technical University also suggested that TOT could serve as a training ground for students in their Department of Oil and Gas Engineering. This would give students the opportunity to gain practical experience in the field, which is essential in their career development.
The team comprised Engr. Prof. Robert Nagre (Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), together with Ing. Dr. Julius Buckloe (Department of Oil and Gas Engineering), Ing. Dr. Joseph X. F. Ribeiro (Head of the Center for Research, Development and Technology Incubation), Dr. Emmanuel Adu (Department of Mechanical Engineering) and Ing. Dr. Edem C. Bensah (Department of Chemical Engineering), Dr. Isaac Frimpong (Chemical Engineering) and Patrick Duke, a representative from Industrial Liaison Office visited Tema Oil Terminal (TOT).
Furthermore, the collaboration would allow TOT to tap into the knowledge and expertise of Kumasi Technical University's faculty and students. This would help TOT to remain competitive in the industry by adopting innovative solutions and technologies.
In conclusion, the visit to Tema Oil Terminal by the Faculty was a fruitful one. Both organizations identified potential areas of collaboration, which would be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration would not only benefit the university and the company but would also contribute to technological advancement and innovation in the industry. It is essential for more industry-academia relationships to be established to foster growth and development in various sectors of the economy.