KEEP Orients Cohort 4 Postgraduate Students

A cohort 4 postgraduate students’ orientation was held on 26th January 2023 at the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Center, Kumasi (RWESCK) auditorium.

KEEP is an Africa Center of Excellence (ACE) Impact project supported by the Government of Ghana through the World Bank. KEEP seeks to deliver high-quality engineering postgraduate programmes and conduct and disseminate applied research focused on addressing development challenges related to industrialization, digital development (ICT), energy systems, renewable energy, manufacturing, exploration, and development of the oil and gas industry.

The Project Manager, Mr. Kwadwo Nyantakyi Marfo, welcomed the cohort of 4 first-year students and encouraged them to focus on their studies and acquire soft skills.

The Project Lead, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, gave an overview of the project. He said KEEP management expects students to attend lectures, participate in examinations, and maintain a Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 65 and above. He added that the programme applied for must be completed, and students are to notify KEEP management when traveling through their Heads of Departments.

He highlighted the need for students to undertake a mandatory internship for one month during their study period.

He mentioned some KEEP opportunities as follows:

• Internship opportunities with support
• Benefit from equipment in the KEEP Postgraduate building and the thematic labs.
• Industrial visits to inform students of possible research problems, with some industries sponsoring some of the research.

The postgraduate programmes coordinator, Dr. Henry Nunoo-Mensah, took the postgraduate students through the research focus, requirements for progression and graduation, and the academic and other support services available to students. He highlighted what is expected of students in their postgraduate study as listed below:

• Attendance at lectures
• Fulfil all academic requirements
• Make periodic oral presentations on the progress of the research work.
• Undertake internship
• Create impact from research (publications)
• Respond to student verification surveys
• Course evaluation

The Partnership Coordinator, KEEP, Dr. David Ato Quansah, presented on the importance of internships as they pursue their studies, and the support KEEP gives. He said internship connects the classroom with industry practices, helps one familiarise with workplace culture, expands one’s professional network, helps one meet potential employers, gives one the ability to understand industry trends and challenges, and formulate relevant research topics.

He highlighted that KEEP supports students with internship placements, support letters, and financial support. Dr. Quansah said students are expected to take up internship placements, be of good behavior while on internship and submit a report after the internship.

Presentations were made by the KNUST Immigration Service, College of Engineering Librarian, and Counselor; they oriented students on their various activities and services.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwah, Deputy Project Lead, charged students to take advantage of the opportunities KEEP offers and strive to graduate with excellence. He said that as an Africa Center of Excellence (ACE) impact project, excellence should be our hallmark.