The Rohde & Schwarz Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave Research Centre, equipped with advanced technology worth €1 million, has officially opened at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to strengthen engineering and technology research.
The state-of-the-art facility developed in partnership with German technology company, Rohde & Schwarz, will provide hands-on learning experiences for students and advances research in electrical and IT engineering.
The lab features 10 cutting-edge workstations, allowing students to gain practical exposure to RF and microwave technology.
The lab fosters innovations in wireless communications, microwave circuits and systems, novel antenna design, and microwave device characterization to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications,
It also supports electromagnetic modeling and simulations. Students and researchers will transform concepts into real-world solutions through design, simulation, fabrication, and testing of antennas, circuits, and other microwave systems.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to fully utilizing the new lab to benefit both students and industry.
"Our ability to contribute to technological advancements depends on cutting-edge research. This donation is a giant leap forward for KNUST and the entire African continent," she said.
She urged students to seize new opportunities and "think beyond the box, push boundaries, and innovate fearlessly." She also assured Rohde & Schwarz and other stakeholders that KNUST would maximize the lab’s potential to drive research, create startups, and develop technological solutions.
Professor Kwabena Britwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, emphasized the lab’s significance.
"This initiative will help students connect theory with hands-on experience, allowing them to conduct experiments and innovative research right here in Ghana," he said.
The team from Rohde and Schwarz Company had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor. Hans Mathias Boos, Business Development Director and Africa Project Lead at Rohde & Schwarz, announced plans to collaborate with KNUST on hackathons and innovation challenges to promote creativity and entrepreneurship among students.
"We believe this spirit of competition will enhance learning and inspire the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. By supporting startups and fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem, we are helping young engineers turn their ideas into reality."
He added that the new lab would empower PhD candidates to pursue advanced studies locally, reducing the need for costly overseas education while directly contributing to Ghana’s technological progress.
German Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Daniel Krull, described the partnership as a major milestone for technological research, particularly in micro-fiber and wireless communication at KNUST.
He expressed excitement over the increasing number of female students in engineering and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting education and research in Ghana.
Krull also highlighted Germany’s support for Ghana’s goal of becoming a vaccine-producing nation through research collaborations, such as the partnership between KCCR and German research institutions.
He praised KNUST’s vision and stressed the importance of equipping young engineers with the skills to drive innovation, develop local solutions, and contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.
Charles Osei Akoto, a representative from MTN, emphasized how the new facility would help address industry challenges, especially those caused by weather conditions like harmattan and heavy rains, which affect network performance.
