The KNUST E-Learning Centre says it is ready to support the College of Engineering and its industry partners to expand online learning and strengthen digital skills training for engineers across Ghana.
Representatives of the Centre joined faculty, staff and industry officials at the College’s Engineering Symposium in the Eastern Region. The two-day programme focused on collaboration between academia, government and industry to address technical skills gaps and national development needs.
Professor Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah, Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, said the Centre can assist the College and its partners with online course design, technology integration in teaching, and new digital programmes aligned with workforce demands.
“We have the studios and tools to support teaching, learning and skills upgrading. Our role is to help deliver training that workers and students can access anywhere,” he said.
The symposium was held under the theme Engineering Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation and Development.
The Provost of the College of Engineering, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, said engagement with industry was necessary for knowledge sharing and developing solutions that respond to national needs.
“The complex issues of our time require solutions that are interdisciplinary and practical. No single institution can address these challenges alone,” he said.
KNUST records show that the College of Engineering trains more than 10,000 undergraduate students and about 1,000 postgraduate students in engineering disciplines. Senior staff–student ratios remain high in several departments, and the University is turning to digital support systems to ease teaching pressures and widen access to professional development.
According to Professor Akowuah, flexible online modules can help engineering professionals upgrade their skills while working.
“We are ready to design short online courses that allow people to learn while they work. Industry can also request targeted programmes through the Centre,” he said.
The College says it wants stronger collaboration with industry to support job creation, research commercialisation and new technology development. Industry representatives from GRIDCo, the Volta River Authority, Bui Power Authority, Ghana Water Company Limited and other corporations joined the discussions on technical needs and knowledge exchange.
The Provost said such partnerships were key to building a pipeline of engineers who understand both academic and industrial environments.
A status report on the College’s Strategic Plan highlighted priorities including modernising teaching with digital tools, improving infrastructure and strengthening practical training for students. It noted that technology-supported learning systems are critical for addressing challenges such as large class sizes and limited laboratory capacity.
Professor Akowuah said the E-Learning Centre is positioned to support the College’s plans by integrating virtual learning platforms, online assessment systems and multimedia content development.
“We want to work closely with departments to convert more courses into online and blended formats. The goal is to improve learning and reduce pressure on physical facilities,” he said.
During sessions on global trends in engineering education, participants cited the growing impact of artificial intelligence, modular learning programmes and remote collaboration on training and research. Professor Akowuah said these trends underline the importance of online learning in future engineering education.
“Workers must keep updating their skills. The Centre supports lifelong learning through digital channels. We want to ensure engineers continue to learn after graduation,” he said.
The E-Learning Centre plans to meet heads of department to identify courses that can be redesigned for online delivery. It will also explore collaboration with university staff working in Obuasi, Gambia and partner institutions in other countries.
Professor Akowuah said online delivery offers flexibility for wider participation in engineering education from Ghana and beyond.
“We want to make it easier for people to learn. It does not matter where they are. Digital tools can help engineering reach more people,” he said.
The joint committee responsible for strengthening links between the College and industry will continue to lead discussions on digital training, professional development and new technology use in the sector.
Story: Mona Lisa Frimpong
