The Energy Center and the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have since 2011 been running a Master of Science Programme in Renewable Energy Technologies (MSc. RETs) with the aim of helping build a critical mass of professionals in sub-Saharan Africa with in-depth knowledge and skills in Renewable Energy Technologies as well as policies for energy access and efficiency.  

Keen to build on successes and also address difficulties that have emerged since inception of MSc RETs, The Energy Center (TEC) has secured seed funding award from the Norwegian Government to partner the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) to  prepare a full-fledge proposal that seeks to strengthen the programme. TEC and NMBU through the seed funding support have organized a three day workshop (6 – 8 August 2014) at the College of Engineering, KNUST, to discuss and identify areas of mutual research interest.  Initial areas agreed on include: solar refrigeration and cooling; resource assessment and resource recovery, bioenergy (biodiesel and biofuel); energy efficiency measures; small hydro developments; wind energy and biogas.  

This collaboration has a planned activity of establishing a Product Development Team (PDT) that will comprise members from TEC, NMBU and Industries within Ghana and Norway to facilitate translating research ideas into a marketable product. The 3–day workshop also considered ways of increasing female participation in the programme. 

In their closing remarks, at the end of the three day workshop, the Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof Samuel Ampadu, and the Director of The Energy Center, Prof. Ahmad Addo, expressed delight at the partnership and expressed the hope that it will be developed for the mutual benefit of both institutions. Other members of the KNUST team were Dr Richard Opoku (Project Coordinator), Dr Gabriel Takyi, Dr Lena Mensah, Mr. David Ato Quansah and Mrs Barbara Korsah (Research Manager of the College). 

NMBU was represented by Prof Samuel Muyiwa Adaramola and Dr Razak Seidu. 

To read more about the MSc RETs programme please click here.