The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international academic partnerships after receiving a delegation from the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).
The visit formed part of an institutional learning tour aimed at giving the SUZA delegation first-hand insight into KNUST’s research administration, internationalisation efforts, governance systems and academic practices.
Director of KNUST’s Office of Grants and Research, Professor Jerry John Kponyo, said the longstanding relationship between the two institutions had been developed through the Building Stronger Universities initiative.
He said the visit was intended to deepen the partnership while allowing the delegation to learn about KNUST’s operational systems.
“We have had a very close relationship with the State University of Zanzibar over the years through the Building Stronger Universities initiative. The purpose of this visit is for our institutions to learn from one another through the sharing of best practices and to strengthen our partnership,” he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic, Research and Consultancy at SUZA, Professor Abdi Talib Abdalla, said the visit had exceeded the delegation’s expectations and described it as an invaluable learning experience.
He said that although the delegation had initially sought to study KNUST’s research systems, it had also gained insights into the University’s management of international programmes, teaching, research administration and institutional governance.
“We came here primarily to learn about research, but we found ourselves learning much more. We appreciate the warm hospitality we have received since our arrival and hope this will further strengthen the collaboration between our universities,” he said.
Professor Abdalla said the two institutions shared several similarities but acknowledged KNUST’s advanced systems, expressing confidence that closer collaboration would accelerate SUZA’s institutional development.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor David Asamoah, reaffirmed the University’s belief in strategic partnerships as a catalyst for academic excellence and institutional growth.
He said meaningful collaborations, regardless of the size of the institutions involved, could create opportunities for joint research, innovation, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity building.
“We believe in partnership. No matter how small an institution may be, there is always room to collaborate in research, teaching and learning. Our doors are always open to institutions that are willing to learn with us and work together for mutual benefit,” he said.
Professor Asamoah highlighted KNUST’s new strategic plan, launched as the University marks its 75th anniversary, and said its vision was to move “from excellence to eminence”.
He said the plan placed strong emphasis on attracting high-value research grants, producing impactful research that addresses national and continental challenges, and expanding KNUST’s global presence.
“The essence of our research is to provide solutions to societal problems. We want our research and innovation to contribute directly to solving Ghana’s challenges while also addressing issues across Africa,” he said.
Professor Asamoah also stressed the importance of formalising the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding, which would provide a framework for implementing joint activities coordinated through KNUST’s International Programmes Office.
He said the partnership could support faculty and student mobility, collaborative research, grant acquisition and broader institutional cooperation.
Professor Abdalla said SUZA was pursuing its vision of becoming a comprehensive university by broadening its academic offerings to include engineering and expanding its research, consultancy services and infrastructure.
Story: Akosua Konadu Bandoh Photos: Emmanuel Dankwah
