The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) intends to train more engineers, especially in the energy sector, to meet the inevitable demand that will emerge as we increase production in oil and gas.
This was disclosed when Dr. Joe Oteng Adjei, Minister of energy, met the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor William Otoo Ellis. The Minister said, though the University is doing what it takes to develop capacity by training human resource, it has to concentrate more on the practical aspects, particularly in the training of engineers in the field of energy production. He added, this will go a long way to meet the human capital requirement in the energy sector. He emphasised that, now that the country is drilling oil in large commercial quantities the university should take the lead by supplying more experts to fill the skills gap in the energy sector instead of employing foreign engineers. This will help develop our nation.
The minister was accompanied by Prof K. S. Jullien, an energy expert from Trinidad & Tobago, who has offered to support Ghana in its quest for development. The minister said the nation faces a huge challenge in producing the required human capital to operate in the oil and gas sector. Professor Jullien's motivation he said, is to assist Ghana to build capacity by setting up training centers under the auspices of KNUST, and would include collaboration with Maritime University, Kikam Technical Institute and Takoradi Polytechnic among others with the aim of closing the skills gap.
The Vice-Chancellor said he appreciated the intended support for the proposed energy centre and welcomed Professor Jullien's decision to bring his expertise on board. He pledged his support and promised to contribute the University's quota to the energy project. He was grateful to the energy Minister for offering to provide assistance.
Prof. William O. Ellis was flanked by other dignitaries of KNUST including; the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Donkor, the Registrar Mr. Kobby Yebo Okrah, the Provost of the College of Engineering, Professor S. I. K. Ampadu and the acting Deputy Registrar, University Relations Office, Mr. Kingsely O. Tabi.
