A delegation from York University, led by the Vice-President for Research and Innovation, Professor Amir Asif paid a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi on 11th March 2024. The delegation was warmly received by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo at the Council Chamber of the University.
The purpose of the visit, as highlighted by Professor Asif, was to explore and discuss potential avenues for collaboration between the two esteemed institutions. These areas of collaboration, he said, encompassed student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, as well as available opportunities for funding and grantsmanship. Professor Asif specifically expressed York University's keen interest in fostering partnerships with faculties specialising in Health Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, and Social Sciences. He mentioned the scholarship opportunities available for prospective PhD international students and faculty members.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owusu-Dabo, expressed his delight at the prospect of the collaboration, emphasising its alignment with KNUST's overarching vision. He assured the delegation of KNUST's preparedness to engage in fruitful collaborations, highlighting the mutual benefits in terms of expertise and knowledge exchange. ‘‘KNUST believes in constructive partnerships and the mantra that either you collaborate or perish, as working in isolation is a thing of the past,’’ he added.
Professor Owusu-Dabo affirmed the readiness of stakeholders to initiate discussions with appropriate Heads of Faculties and Colleges. These deliberations according to him, are intended to formalise a Memorandum of Understanding and foster potential collaboration among the involved parties.
Accompanying the Vice-President were Professor David Henry Peters, Dean, of the Faculty of Health; Professor John Justin McMurtry, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies; Professor Solomon Boakye-Yiadom, Faculty of Engineering (KNUST Alumnus); Professor Godfred Boateng, Director of Global and Environment Health Lab; Skandha Sunderasen, Associate Director, Global Engagement and Strategic Initiatives; Julie Hard, International Relations Manager, Faculty of Health.
Also present at the meeting were, the Registrar, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng; Provost College of Engineering, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko; Director of the Office of Grant and Research (OGR), Professor Phillip Antwi-Agyei; Representative of the Provost of the College of Health Science, Professor Samuel Newton; Vice-Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Professor Esmeranda Manful; Assistant Registrar IPO, Mrs. Yvonne Baiden; University Relations Officer, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, and Head of Legal Office, Lawyer Isaac Berko.