A three-man Delegation from the Welcome Centre for Anti-Invectives Research (WCAAIR) of the University of Dundee, have called on the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson.
Susan Farrell, a member of the WCAIR Team, noted that the collaboration which started last year, has seen KNUST students visit her outfit to build their capacities in the exploration of flora medicine. She added that their visit is in line with the vision of WCAIR, to help tackle the urgent unmet medical need and lack of drug discovery research for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). According to her, WCAIR hopes to create a global hub for NTD drug discovery and be the collaborator of choice for academics, Pharma and Product Development Partnerships.
Professor Dickson stated that Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as the premier Science and Technology University in Ghana, recognises collaborations as key in executing its mandate.
According to Professor Dickson, Ghana abounds in flora and fauna, used in curing diseases. She said the Faculty of Pharmacy has done extensive work in herbal medicine and is grateful for the partnership, aimed at deepening research plant drug discovery.
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. David Darko Obiri, stated that students from KNUST visit the University of Dundee to use the facilities at WCAIR. However, on their return to Ghana, the facilities they need to continue are either non-existent. The delegation is therefore visiting KNUST as a follow up to help build capacity to ensure continuity of skills and to help in the area of infectious diseases.
Other members of the Dundee Team included Professor Kelvin Read and Prof. Lan Gilbert.