The College of Engineering (CoE), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), recently welcomed back Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio, an accomplished alumnus and member of the TRECK International Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio, who is affiliated with the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, USA visited the campus from September 7–11, 2025. The visit followed his participation in the Ghana Infrastructure Conference: Rethinking Infrastructure for Development—Governance, Ethics, and Strategic Planning Perspectives, held in Accra from August 6th–8th. The invitation to visit was extended by Professor Helen Essandoh, Director of The Regional Transport Research and Education Centre, Kumasi (TRECK).
On 8th September, Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio delivered a seminar on “Mitigating Traffic Congestion to Combat Climate Change: Strategies and Solutions.” The interactive session engaged TRECK students in discussions on transportation challenges, climate change, and possible thesis areas. He also travelled to the KNUST Obuasi campus, where he observed and provided feedback during student defences in the Principles of Design course.
Throughout his visit, Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio continued to interact with students, particularly during the Integrated Design course assessments at the Kumasi campus. He praised the impressive prototypes, well-prepared presentations, and confident defences, noting the clear shift from theory-heavy curricula to hands-on, applied learning.
At the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL), Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio witnessed student-led projects that applied AI to real-world challenges in agriculture, linguistics, radiology, and audiology—an experience he described as encouraging for the future of interdisciplinary research at KNUST.
Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio also met with individual TRECK faculty members to assess laboratory needs and to strategise around funding opportunities. In discussions with the Provost of the College of Engineering, he emphasised the urgent requirement for around 100 new faculty members to meet the demands of the expanding academic programs.
The meeting also involved the Alumni Relations Officer, Mrs. Afia Kesewaa Akosah Agyenim Boateng; who outlined efforts to engage KNUST’s nearly 15,000 engineering alumni. Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio acknowledged the challenges in rebuilding alumni trust, while highlighting the critical role alumni support can play in advancing the College’s research and teaching agenda.
Having last visited the campus in 2008, Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio commended the College of Engineering’s progress in infrastructure and program development. He noted a marked improvement in student-faculty dynamics, applauding the constructive, student-cantered approach adopted by faculty during project defences - contrasting with earlier practices that often discourage confidence.
Prof. (Emert.) Owusu Ababio concluded his visit with optimism, stressing that the College of Engineering is on a strong upward trajectory but requires significant financial investment to reach its full potential. With strategic government support, competitive grants, and dedicated alumni contributions, the college’s laboratories and Centres of Excellence can become fully operational and self-sustaining, driving innovation and national development.
