The Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, presented an award to Emeritus Professor Francis Momade as part of the awards to be given during the Maiden Alumni Excellence Awards and Fundraising Dinner. This recognition celebrated Prof. Momade's outstanding contributions as the first Provost of the College of Engineering, a role that set the foundation for significant advancements within the College.
Highlighting his achievements, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, recounted Prof. Momade's visionary leadership. During his tenure as Provost, Prof. Momade spearheaded an initiative that enabled ten first-class graduates from the Mechanical, Agricultural, and Electrical Engineering programs to pursue PhD studies in Mechanical, Industrial, Computer, and Electrical Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, USA. Notably, five of these graduates have since returned to the College, where they now serve as lecturers in the Mechanical, Materials, and Electrical Engineering Departments.
Prof. Momade also played a pivotal role in infrastructure development. He initiated, redesigned, and led the refurbishment of the N Block, now the Petroleum Engineering Building, significantly enhancing lecture and office spaces. Furthermore, he facilitated discussions with Vodafone Ghana (now Telecel) to establish the Vodafone Café, which remains a popular hub for students and staff within the university community.
Under his leadership, the late Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond collaborated with him to establish The Brew Hammond Energy Center, which has gained international acclaim for its groundbreaking research in renewable energy. The centre continues to lead numerous global projects and initiatives in energy research.
In addition, Prof. Momade's tenure saw the introduction of critical undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Petroleum, Computer, and Telecommunication Engineering at the undergraduate level and professional Master of Engineering programs at the postgraduate level. These programs have enhanced the College's academic portfolio and strengthened its contributions to engineering education and innovation.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Momade expressed gratitude to the College for the recognition and acknowledged the pivotal role played by Prof. Jackson in his appointment as the inaugural Provost of the College of Engineering. He concluded with a proposal to the current Provost, suggesting the documentation of the College’s rich history and achievements in a book, which would serve as an enduring record of its impact and legacy.
