At 34, a proud alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reached a milestone that underscores both personal determination and institutional excellence.

Prof. Eric Dominic Forson has been promoted to Associate Professor in Geophysics at the University of Ghana, becoming the youngest scholar to attain the rank in his field at the university.

His promotion forms part of a cohort of nearly 20 academics advanced under the University of Ghana’s newly implemented governance framework, a system designed to strengthen merit-based academic progression.

For Prof. Forson, the achievement represents the culmination of a journey that began at KNUST more than a decade ago.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in June 2014, building a strong foundation in the physical sciences. Determined to deepen his expertise, he proceeded to obtain an MPhil in Geophysics in July 2017, and later completed a PhD in Geophysics in August 2020.

Today, he specializes in geophysics and geodata analytics, an interdisciplinary field that integrates machine learning, geospatial modeling, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). His research supports predictive modeling in mineral resource exploration, groundwater assessment, geohazard studies, and geological mapping: areas that are critical to Ghana’s sustainable development agenda.

Reflecting on his journey, Prof. Forson credits his training at KNUST as the bedrock of his success.

“The rigorous training I received at KNUST laid the foundation for everything I have achieved. From my BSc in Physics through my MPhil and PhD in Geophysics, KNUST equipped me not only with technical expertise but also with resilience, critical thinking, and a spirit of innovation,” he said.

He expressed particular gratitude to his MPhil and PhD supervisor, Prof. Aboagye Menyeh, whose mentorship he described as pivotal.

“I am especially grateful to my MPhil and PhD supervisor, Prof. Aboagye Menyeh, who believed in me throughout my doctoral journey. His confidence and guidance motivated me to complete my PhD in three years instead of the usual four, a milestone that strengthened my resolve and discipline,” he noted.

According to him, the culture of academic excellence and exposure to cutting-edge research at KNUST helped shape his discipline and long-term vision.

“The mentorship of dedicated lecturers, the culture of academic excellence, and the exposure to cutting-edge research shaped my vision and discipline. It is this solid grounding that enabled me to rise to the rank of Associate Professor in Geophysics and Geodata Analytics at a relatively young age,” he said.

Prof. Forson said he remains deeply grateful to his alma mater and hopes his journey will inspire current students.

“I remain deeply grateful to KNUST for nurturing me, and I hope my journey inspires current students to believe that with commitment and the right training, they too can achieve great feats.”

His story stands not only as a personal milestone but also as a reflection of KNUST’s enduring contribution to training scientists and scholars who are shaping national and global development.