The Department of Chemistry of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is organising the first International Conference on Polymer Science and Technology at the Engineering Guest House, KNUST. The conference which is under the theme: “Polymer Education and Environmental Sustainability in Africa” is expected to end on the 18th of April 2012.
The Conference which has brought together experts from the USA, United Kingdom and Africa, among other things seeks to create a platform for participants to share experiences and ideas, create a forum for a collaborative research and also create the opportunity for participants to share research facilities.
In his welcome address, Professor Williams.O. Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST said Scientists over the years have been looking at how Polymers could be recycled. He added that the challenges in addressing the usage of Polymers are the reasons why KNUST has partnered with University of Manchester to develop a Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) programme, to facilitate research in Polymer Science and Technology. He commended the Department of Chemistry for bringing together all the experts in the field of Polymer education as well as the British Council and the DELPHE programme for facilitating and promoting partnership in higher education.
Dr. Johannes Awudza, the Coordinator for the Conference said the study of Polymer Science has become necessary as a result of the way Polymers are increasingly being used to generate and develop new products and processes in the society. According to him, the MPhil programme has been designed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills to enable them to contribute to the development of Polymer Science Technology and to assist in finding solutions to problems posed by Polymer usage. His said upon completion of an MPhil in Polymer Science and Technology, graduates are expected to know the basic Chemistry involved in the synthesis of Polymers and how they translate into industrial Polymer production processes, the preparation and utilisation of biodegradable polymers and plastic waste management.
Dr .S. Osafo Acquaah, the Head of the Department of Chemistry said the Department is privileged to be hosting the Conference and stated that methods will be developed to link academia and industry. He said the various sessions of the programme will help come out with useful ideas that will help solve some of the challenges posed by Polymers. He added that the training of students by the Department will help increase the human resource base in Polymer Science and Technology.
