The Faculty of Engineering and Technology has taken a step towards strengthening its industry collaborations by visiting the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on the 16th of March 2023. The visit aimed to identify areas of collaboration between the two entities and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise the relationship. The collaboration presents an opportunity for KsTU to leverage the knowledge and experience of GNPC to develop research and training programmes that are relevant to the needs of the industry.
Collaborations between industry and academia are essential for driving technological advancements and innovation. Academia offers theoretical knowledge and research expertise while industry provides practical training and specialized knowledge. Through such collaborations, both parties can develop practical solutions to real-world problems and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce. The collaboration between Faculty and GNPC presents an opportunity for both parties to leverage each other's strengths to achieve common goals.
GNPC is a vital player in the oil and gas industry in Ghana, mandated to explore, produce and dispose of petroleum products, and promote petroleum-related activities. As such, it is a repository of knowledge and experience that can be leveraged to develop research and training programmes for KsTU students pursuing various engineering programmes. The visit by KsTU to GNPC was aimed at identifying potential areas of collaboration that would enable both parties to leverage each other's strengths and expertise.
The team from Kumasi Technical University, comprising the Engr. Prof. Robert Nagre (Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), together with Ing. Dr. Julius Borkloe (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 Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC, Tema) to interact with management to identify potential areas of collaboration based on which a memorandum of understanding can be signed.
During the meeting, several areas of collaboration were identified. Representatives from GNPC suggested the enhancement of the oil and gas engineering curricula to align it with the current needs of the industry. This collaboration presents an opportunity for KsTU to develop training programmes that are relevant to the industry's needs, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the industry's growth.
The collaboration between KsTU and GNPC will be cemented through the signing of an MoU. The MoU will outline the terms and conditions of the collaboration, including the scope of the collaboration, the expected outcomes, and the resources required to achieve the objectives. The signing of the MoU will formalize the relationship between the two entities and ensure that the collaboration is sustainable and beneficial to both parties.