KEEP Showcases Impact at National Tertiary Education Conference 2024

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) hosted the National Tertiary Education Conference 2024 at the CEDI Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon from 5th to 7th November 2024.  The theme for the conference was “Transforming Tertiary Education in Ghana: Dialogue, Policy, and Practices”. The conference served as a crucial forum for stakeholders to discuss and shape the policies that will guide Ghana’s tertiary education system in the face of emerging global challenges and opportunities.

GTEC aims to ensure equitable access to world-class, relevant tertiary education by formulating and coordinating policies, providing accreditation, and ensuring quality assurance across institutions. The 2024 conference, with over 400 participants—including university leaders, scholars, researchers, policymakers, students, and industry leaders—focused on forging a resilient, adaptive, and future-ready tertiary education landscape in Ghana.

The conference also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the World Bank Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) Impact Project. This transformative initiative has enabled Ghanaian universities to specialise in fields critical to national and regional development, such as health, agriculture, engineering, and environmental sustainability. The nine Centers of Excellence established across five public universities have significantly shaped Ghana’s higher education landscape, fostering specialisation and regional expertise.

As part of this celebration, the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP) at the College of Engineering, KNUST, presented its impact over the years. Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Project Lead of KEEP, shared KEEP's vision to drive Ghana and the sub-region’s industrial and digital revolution through exceptional engineering education, research, and innovation.

Prof. Kponyo highlighted key KEEP initiatives that have been undertaken to enhance engineering education and advance industry partnerships. Over the past five years, KEEP has established state-of-the-art research laboratories, including the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL), the Renewable Energy Lab, the Internet of Things (IoT) Lab, and the Radio Frequency and Materials Lab. He also announced that plans are far in advance to establish a Quantum Science and Assistive Technology Lab as a commitment to staying at the forefront of engineering research and technology.

KEEP has also contributed significantly to strengthen industry and academic collaborations, foster innovation, and support entrepreneurship. Prof. Kponyo noted the transformation of the College of Engineering Innovation Center into an Innovation Lane dedicated to nurture startups and creative engineering solutions. Additionally, KEEP played a pivotal role in mentoring the Gambian Technical Institute, guiding its transition into a fully-fledged University of Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET).

To support the sustainability of its initiatives, an Endowment Fund was established in 2021, and to further this effort, the College of Engineering is hosting the KNUST College of Engineering Alumni Excellence Awards and Fundraising Dinner on 8th November 2024. This event will recognise alumni who have made significant contributions to engineering, leadership, and service and raise funds for the Endowment Fund. Prof. Kponyo invited stakeholders, alumni, and the general public to attend and support the mission of sustainable engineering education.