KEEP Bridges Theory and Practice through Postgraduate Internship Experiences

David Kabutey (PhD Candidate, Bioengineering ) presented his internship experience at Wontesty Ventures

The KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP) held its annual postgraduate internship presentations for 41 master’s and 12 PhD students across seven engineering departments:

• Agricultural and Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Telecommunications Engineering

The event in a hybrid format allowed in-person and remote participation, where students presented their internship experiences before assessment panels comprising departmental lecturers and KEEP staff.

Dr. Martinson Addo Nartey, a lecturer and panellist from the Department of Materials Engineering, praised the students’ work, stating:

“The depth of insight students brought to their presentations was impressive. You could tell these weren’t just box-checking internships—they were immersive and transformative.”

The students undertook internships across a diverse range of organisations, including:

• Public institutions: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Tema Oil Terminal and Ghana Grid Company
• Private firms: Barry Callebaut Ghana Limited, Wonesty Ventures, Paonoble Ventures and Kumasi Wastewater Treatment Plant (KWWTP)/Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited

These placements provided hands-on industry experience, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

Feedback from a post-internship survey revealed significant improvements in communication skills, technical confidence, workplace readiness, and career direction clarity. Here’s what some students had to say:

• Stephen Akosah Darko (MPhil, Materials Engineering)

“My internship at SolarTaxi in 2024 profoundly shaped my outlook. It helped me understand how material selection and performance directly influence product sustainability.”

• Ama Sakyiwaa Ofori-Kyere (PhD Candidate, Bioengineering)

“Interning at Wonesty Ventures in October 2024 gave me hands-on experience with sustainable technologies like biochar production, biogas, and agri-voltaic irrigation. It deepened my understanding of how bioresource innovation can drive agricultural and energy solutions.”

• Christopher Dabire Naya (Ghana Grid Company Intern)

“Working in a large-scale energy system taught me the critical importance of teamwork and safety protocols—insights that have reshaped my approach to power systems engineering.”

Through these internships, KEEP continues to empower the next generation of engineers, equipping them with the expertise and real-world exposure needed to drive innovation across industries.