In a pioneering step for academic staff development and industry-academia collaboration, MODEC Production Services Ghana JV Ltd. and the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have launched Ghana's first-ever Faculty Internship Program in the oil and gas sector. This innovative initiative represents a major milestone in bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements. It provides university faculty with hands-on industry experience that enhances their ability to deliver practical, real-world education.
This program builds upon an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2024 between MODEC and KNUST, which outlined the commitment of both institutions to strengthen the relationship between academia and the oil and gas industry. The MoU serves as the foundation for this internship program and other future initiatives, aiming to enhance research, curriculum development, and training to meet industry needs.
Four faculty members embarked on a two-week intensive internship with MODEC in the first phase of the faculty internship program. The team included Dr. Yen Adams Sokama-Neuyam, Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Dr. Kwame Sarkodie, Lecturer, Dr. Stephen Adjei, Lecturer, and Mr. William Apau Marfo, Assistant Lecturer. The faculty members underwent industry-standard safety certifications during the internship, including International Minimum Industry Safety Training (IMIST) and Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET). Following their certifications, the faculty members participated in MODEC's office operations and were given an immersive offshore experience aboard the FPSO Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. This opportunity allowed them to observe MODEC’s offshore operations firsthand, providing valuable insights into the complexities and challenges of offshore oil and gas production.
The primary objective of the MODEC-KNUST Faculty Internship Program is to equip KNUST faculty members with the practical skills and industry experience necessary to design relevant academic programs, train field-ready graduates, and conduct research that addresses real industry challenges. With the knowledge and skills gained through the program, faculty members can better align their teaching with the practical needs of the oil and gas sector, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for careers in the industry. KNUST faculty have gained a deeper understanding of the real-world operational challenges within the local oil and gas sector, allowing them to incorporate practical insights into their teaching and research. As Dr. Yen Adams Sokama-Neuyam noted, “This partnership will enhance our ability to prepare students for the industry by bringing practical, real-world experience into the classroom.”
While industry-academia collaboration has been a topic of much discussion, MODEC is leading by example. By fully supporting this initiative, MODEC has demonstrated its commitment to fostering closer ties between the oil and gas industry and academic institutions. As the program progresses, KNUST plans to scale and regularise the internship, making it an ongoing part of faculty development. “This internship program is a game-changer,” Dr. Sokama-Neuyam stated. “It has given us the tools to make a real difference in training our students. When you provide practical exposure to faculty, you indirectly benefit an entire classroom of future engineers.”
The MODEC-KNUST Faculty Internship Program is a pioneering initiative that promises to transform how petroleum engineering is taught at KNUST. By equipping faculty members with practical offshore experience and industry insights, the program is setting a new standard for industry-academia partnerships in Ghana. As the program grows, it will continue to provide KNUST faculty and students with invaluable opportunities to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world industry practice. The internship program has also laid the groundwork for future projects between MODEC and KNUST, as envisioned in the MoU signed earlier this year.
