The College of Art and Built Environment (CABE) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has embarked on a strategic industry tour to strengthen partnerships with key institutions, expand internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates, and align academic training more closely with industry needs.

Led by the Provost of the College, Professor Christian Koranteng, the delegation visited Adjaye Associates, the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), the Lands Commission, Buck Press Limited, Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament for Bantama, and the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA).

The delegation also included the Head of the Corporate Affairs Office, Dr Ralph Nyadu-Addo, and the Head of the College Endowment Fund, Professor De-Graft Owusu Manu.

Beyond strengthening existing collaborations, the tour introduced the College's new management team, highlighted the establishment of the Corporate Affairs Office and the College Endowment Fund, and explored opportunities for collaborative research, curriculum development, industrial attachment, staff development and industry participation in teaching and governance.

Throughout the engagements, the College encouraged its partners to provide feedback on the performance of KNUST graduates, identify employment opportunities for alumni, support student and staff internships, and serve as adjunct and guest lecturers to bridge the gap between academia and professional practice.

At Adjaye Associates, discussions focused on expanding collaboration in teaching, research, student development and institutional growth. The firm, which employs more than 100 graduates from the College's built environment programmes, expressed its willingness to mentor students, invest in design studios and partner with the College on research into sustainable construction materials and settlement planning.

The firm also indicated its readiness to serve on the College's Advisory Board and support the work of the Endowment Fund Committee as part of efforts to deepen collaboration with the University.

Discussions at the Ghana Publishers Association focused on developing a more responsive publishing curriculum through stronger industry engagement. The College proposed collaboration in curriculum review, research support, student and faculty mentorship, capacity building, policy development and the establishment of an endowed chair to support publishing research. It also appealed for industry support to enhance KNUST's global visibility and strengthen social capital within Ghana's publishing sector.

The Association welcomed the proposals and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the College. It pledged to work with CABE on developing a policy framework for textbook development and distribution while also proposing the establishment of an education section in a national newspaper to promote public discourse on education.

During the discussions, the Association expressed interest in establishing a satellite office in Kumasi, preferably at KNUST, and indicated its willingness to contribute to the College's Endowment Fund to support student development and the publishing profession.

At the Lands Commission, management said between 80% and 90% of its professional staff are KNUST graduates, describing the visit as a reaffirmation of the longstanding relationship between the institution and the University.

Discussions focused on formalising internship placements for students, expanding graduate recruitment opportunities and strengthening institutional support for the College's academic programmes.

The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, to express appreciation for his longstanding support for the College and KNUST, including his role in the establishment of the Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub in the Department of Planning.

Discussions explored opportunities for sustained collaboration in research, teaching, student development and infrastructure initiatives.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye pledged his continued support for the College, saying he was willing to leverage his position in Parliament and within broader policy circles to advance initiatives that promote higher education and the built environment sector. He also expressed his readiness to serve on the College's Advisory Board and support the Endowment Fund.

At the Ghana Institute of Architects, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening existing collaborations in professional training, research and curriculum development.

The Institute welcomed opportunities to deepen ongoing partnerships, particularly through joint research initiatives, industry participation in teaching and expanded training opportunities for students.

The delegation's visit to Buck Press Limited recognised the company's longstanding support for the College, including the renovation of two lecture rooms for the Department of Publishing Studies and its continued employment of KNUST graduates.

Discussions explored opportunities to strengthen future collaboration through additional internships, graduate recruitment, staff industrial attachments, Advisory Board membership and contributions to the College's Endowment Fund.

Buck Press also underscored the importance of continuous professional development, advocating industrial attachment opportunities for academic staff in addition to students. The company expressed its readiness to support short-term industry training programmes, expose faculty to emerging software and technologies, and contribute expertise to strengthen teaching and learning.

Story: Erica Boateng