The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi is set to establish a collaborative partnership with Virginia State University (VSU) in the United States, with a focus on student exchange and academic cooperation in key areas such as data science and agriculture and artificial intelligence.

A delegation representing the President of Virginia State University, led by Mr. Lyn R. William, paid a visit to KNUST to initiate the discussions.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, welcomed the proposed partnership, describing it as a significant step in strengthening the University’s international engagements.

“We are training international professionals for the globe, and the best way to do that is through international partnerships, so this is great news for us,” she added.

Professor Mrs. Dickson stressed the need to formalise the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a clear roadmap for the partnership.

She expressed optimism that the engagement would mark the beginning of a  lasting relationship, noting that data science has become a critical global skill in the era of Artificial Intelligence.

“Data is the new currency, and when you add science and technology, it creates even more opportunities,” she said.

Joining the meeting virtually, Dr. Maklola M. Abdullah President of Virginia State University expressed excitement about the partnership.

“We are excited about this collaboration, especially with KNUST, one of the best universities on the continent for this type of partnership,” he said.

The Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Professor Edmund Ekuadzi, indicated that discussions with the relevant faculties would soon begin to operationalise the partnership.

“Conversations with the faculties mentioned will be initiated to kick-start the relationship,” he noted.