KEEP Scholar Impact: A Journey from KNUST to Global Grid Resilience Research

Not every life-changing opportunity arrives with advance notice. For Shadrack T. Asiedu, the KEEP scholarship came as a complete surprise, a call to interview he had not anticipated when he applied for the MPhil in Renewable Energy Technologies at KNUST. That unexpected opportunity would go on to shape not only his academic trajectory but also his emergence as a researcher whose work is making an impact on the global stage. Today, Shadrack is a PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota State University, USA, and a recent intern with ABB US Corporate Research Centre, where he contributes to strengthening one of the world's most complex engineering systems: the American Power Grid.

Unlike many scholars who actively sought out the KEEP program, Shadrack's journey began with a welcome surprise. "I applied to the MPhil Renewable Energy Technologies program and simply received a call to interview for the scholarship," he recalls. That moment marked the beginning of a transformative partnership, one that would ease significant personal burdens and unlock doors he had not yet imagined.

As a husband and father navigating the demands of work, study, and family, Shadrack identifies the scholarship's financial support as its most immediate and meaningful impact. "It immensely eased the financial pressure on me," he states plainly. But the program offered more than relief; it provided opportunity.

KEEP served as the gateway to an Erasmus Exchange program at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of Europe's premier engineering institutions. "This experience significantly enhanced the value of my studies and added a critical layer of international exposure to my academic experience," Shadrack explains. The combination of financial stability and global mobility equipped him with the confidence and credentials to aim higher.

Shadrack's career trajectory is defined by intentional, uninterrupted progression. "I transitioned directly into my current PhD program immediately after completing my MPhil requirements," he shares. This seamless shift from master's to doctoral studies, across continents and into a competitive U.S. research environment, speaks to the strength of his preparation at KNUST.

Now based at South Dakota State University, his research focuses on enhancing the resilience and stability of the U.S. Power Grid, a domain of national critical importance. His recent internship at ABB US Corporate Research Centre as a Distribution Grid Resilience Engineer further demonstrates the applied relevance of his expertise.

Reflecting on how KEEP and KNUST prepared him for this demanding path, Shadrack was unequivocal. "The MPhil program, in addition to the Erasmus Exchange, laid the necessary foundation to accelerate my success in my current PhD program," he affirms. "The research skills, the concepts I learnt, and the tools I used during my KEEP-sponsored program all enabled a smooth transition into my research-intensive studies in the USA."

Shadrack Asiedu's aspirations extend far beyond the laboratory. While his current doctoral research provides critical insights for U.S. grid operators, his long-term vision is both entrepreneurial and deeply rooted in service to the power sector.

"My plans are geared towards providing consultancy services to power utilities, grid operators, and distributed and renewable energy generators," he explains. His goal is clear: to contribute to the achievement of stable, reliable, and modernised power grids, whether in the United States, Ghana, or beyond