The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) and universities in the Czech Republic are exploring new opportunities for collaboration in cybersecurity, science and technology, research, and staff and student exchanges.
The discussions emerged during a meeting between KNUST Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, and the Deputy Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ghana, His Excellency Nick Ojo Omorodion, who paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor in Kumasi.
The engagement focused on identifying areas of mutual interest and connecting KNUST with Czech academic institutions with expertise in science, technology and innovation.
The Deputy Ambassador expressed interest in identifying suitable Czech universities and research institutions that could establish partnerships with KNUST through joint research, academic exchanges, knowledge sharing and other initiatives.
He said the engagement presented an opportunity to build on existing cooperation between Ghana and the Czech Republic while expanding collaboration into higher education, research and innovation.
The delegation, led by the Head of the Department of Computer Engineering and Scientific Director of the DIPPER Lab, Professor Eric Tutu Tchao, included representatives from the Department of Computer Engineering, DIPPER Lab, the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT), and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ghana.
The visit preceded the Kumasi edition of a two-day cybersecurity training programme supported by the Government of the Czech Republic.
According to the Deputy Ambassador, the programme, which had previously been held in Accra, was being extended to KNUST to broaden its reach and impact. The initiative seeks to equip journalists with skills to report accurately and ethically on cybersecurity threats while contributing to wider cybersecurity cooperation between Ghana and Czechia.
He noted that cybersecurity remained an important area of cooperation between the two countries, pointing to existing Czech support for Ghanaian law enforcement agencies through specialised hardware and software for cybercrime investigations.
Professor Agyare welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligned with KNUST's existing academic and institutional focus on cybersecurity.
"I think it is in the right direction because the University is also running programmes in cybersecurity. It is in line with what we are doing, and we are happy to be part of it," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies, stressing the need for responsible communication about both their opportunities and risks.
He said the media had an important role to play in helping the public understand emerging technologies, build confidence in their use and make informed decisions about their adoption.
Professor Agyare further indicated KNUST's readiness to engage Czech institutions in areas where their expertise could complement the University's research and academic strengths.
"We would have an interaction with your office to explore areas where the expertise of the two sides could complement each other," he said. "We are ready to engage with institutions in the Czech Republic to advance mutually beneficial partnerships in education, research, science and technology."
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