The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has reaffirmed plans to expand its academic partnership with Leipzig University in Germany, with discussions focusing on widening collaboration beyond Publishing Studies and Business programmes to include Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and Biosciences.

The two institutions also explored opportunities for a joint Erasmus+ grant application.

Professor Utz Dornberger, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Science at Leipzig University and Director of the African Centre for Career Enhancement and Skills Support (ACCESS) project, said KNUST had become a “natural partner” in Leipzig’s effort to strengthen its presence in West Africa.

“We are a more than 600-year-old university with a global outlook, and our collaboration with KNUST reflects our shared mission of education, research and societal impact,” he said.

He added that Leipzig University is seeking to expose future leaders to international academic environments and is considering the introduction of double-degree MBA programmes to offer dual qualifications.

KNUST Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, welcomed the renewed collaboration and highlighted the university’s focus on sustainability and innovation. She called for support in developing a proposed two-megawatt solar energy park and a university entrepreneurship centre aimed at supporting student-led business creation.

“We already have the land and designs. What we need now is funding and collaboration to make it a reality. We are committed to training employers, not just employees,” she said.

The session also included a presentation recognising Dr. Ralph Nyadu-Addo for his contributions to academic cooperation between Ghana and Germany.