On July 11, 2024, during the College of Engineering Career Fair, a delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), led by Amos Agatha, paid a courtesy call on the Provost of the College of Engineering at KNUST. In the absence of the Provost, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, the delegation was warmly received by Prof. Francis Kemausuor, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, supported by Dr. Yen Adams Sokama-Neuyam, Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering. The meeting, aimed at exploring and discussing potential areas of collaboration, highlighted the long-standing relationship between GNPC and the College of Engineering. Over the years, GNPC has established a Research Chair in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, provided internships, national service placement and jobs for students, and supported numerous college activities.
During the discussions, four key areas of collaboration were agreed upon. First, GNPC expressed interest in reviving a former initiative where their staff served as visiting lecturers in the Department of Petroleum Engineering. Second, GNPC proposed engaging postgraduate students with research topics relevant to their industry, offering support for these projects. Third, GNPC is committed to providing fixed internship slots annually for top petroleum engineering students. Lastly, the College of Engineering team requested internship opportunities for staff during the long vacation to visit GNPC's offshore facilities, enhancing their teaching and learning experiences. Prof. Kemausuor commended GNPC for the insightful visit and the proposed collaborations. Both parties agreed to seek approval from their respective authorities and continue discussions towards formalising these ideas in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence implementation.
