Interviewer: Kindly introduce yourself
Dr. Agyemang: Hi, my name is Justice Owusu Agyemang. I am a lecturer at the Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Faculty of Electrical/Computer Engineering, KNUST. My research areas are focused on the Internet of Things (IoT), Secured Networks, Blockchain Technology, and Quantum Computing (a new field I’m exploring). I am the Deputy Director of the Virtual InfoSec Africa (VIA) Cybersecurity Training Center and a Co-Founder of the Blockchain Builders Association of Ghana, an NGO focused on running free training programs for developers interested in Blockchain development.
Interviewer: Tell me about your recent travel
Dr. Agyemang: My recent trip was to Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Let me backtrack to explain why the visit took place. Sometime last year, the College had a visit from Professor Wayne A. Scales, a J. Byron Maupin Professor of Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He delivered a lecture on Quantum communication and its applications in geosensing and network security. I took a keen interest in Quantum Communication. With encouragement from the Provost, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko and Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, I engaged in multiple discussions with Prof. Scales. The primary aim of these interactions was to introduce this emerging field as a course within the College of Engineering and to establish it as a key research area. We developed a foundational curriculum for this course, which we subsequently discussed with Prof. Scales.
Based on the interactions, it became essential for me to travel to Virginia Tech. This would allow me to engage with other professors who are also exploring the same field and gather their insights on how to establish such a course at KNUST. Additionally, it was an opportunity for me to visit Prof. Scales' Quantum research lab and explore the possibility of replicating it at KNUST.
Interviewer: How was the experience for you?
Dr. Agyemang: It was a great experience. I received valuable input and resources from several professors, with special mention to Professor Jamie Sikora and Professor Vassilio Kovanis. These inputs will be essential in fine-tuning the proposed Quantum Communication curriculum. I also had the opportunity to explore the various labs at Virginia Tech, particularly in the Electrical/Computer Engineering (ECE) department. I engaged in discussions with professors about their lab management techniques and methods for ensuring effective student engagement. Additionally, I gained hands-on experience in their Quantum lab, where I conducted CHSH tests, Quantum Key Distribution using BB84 and Ekert E91 protocols, and experimented with quantum sensing.
Interviewer: What are the benefits of this collaboration? (personal benefits and college wise)
Dr. Agyemang: The main objective of the visit is to lay the foundation for establishing a collaboration with VT in the field of Quantum Information Sciences. After several discussions with Prof Scales, he also mentioned that we could collaborate in the field of Space Telemetry analysis. He's ready to provide us with some equipment for Space Telemetry analysis, which can be used for demonstration and further research purposes.
Interviewer: What are the possible research outcomes from this travel or collaboration?
Dr. Agyemang: We hope to collaborate with VT in the field of Quantum Information Sciences, as stated earlier, and also in Space Telemetry analysis. We also aim to collaborate with VT in setting up our Quantum lab, along with the Space Telemetry analysis center. This will drive postgraduate research in these areas.
Interviewer: Any future plans?
Dr. Agyemang: We look forward to an MoU being signed between the two universities, hopefully next year. This will require a trip from the Provost of the College of Engineering and his officials to Virginia Tech to officially establish the collaboration. This will help us work on joint proposals for funding to establish one of the best Quantum research centres in the country here at KNUST.
Interviewer: Final words.
Dr. Agyemang: I believe this collaboration will help advance postgraduate research and provide undergraduates with the fundamental concepts in these emerging areas.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to KEEP for providing me with the opportunity to visit VT. It was indeed a great experience, and I look forward to future visits as we continue to progress with this collaboration.
