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PROFILE OF PROFESSOR FRANCIS BOAKYE

Published 11 Jul 2021 News
PROFILE OF PROFESSOR FRANCIS BOAKYE

Professor Francis Boakye is a Full Professor in Physics. He obtained his BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Physics in 1968, 1973, and 1986. He is the first person to obtain all three degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. He served as Teaching Assistant in 1969-1974, appointed Lecturer in Physics (1974-1982), Senior Lecturer in Physics (1982-1996 ), Associate Professor in Physics (University of Liberia, Monrovia; 1988-1989), Associate Professor in Physics (KNUST; 1996-2001) and Professor in Physics (KNUST; 2001-date).

Professor Boakye’s research interest is in Condensed Matter Physics. Most of his papers provide interesting contributions in the body of observations associated with cryogenics, cryo-engineering, and cryoelectronics. Some of the works have been cited and carry extremely high citations. In addition, they have been added to the Astrophysics Data System of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration  (NASA)of the United States Government.

Most of the work has been published in very prestigious international journals, namely; Thin solid films, Solid State Communications, Acta Materiala, Materials Letters, Material Science and Engineering B, journal of Non-Crystalline Solids to mention a few. These citations are highlighted by synthesis and characterization of magnetic materials notably those on Alpha manganese thin films and their alloys. Alpha Manganese is registered as the key material lying on the border between phenomena of itinerant ferromagnetism with spin fluctuations playing an extremely important role in its properties. Indeed, AT and T Bell Laboratory in the USA is very interested in the anomalous behaviour of alpha manganese thin films because of their tremendous use in magnetic recorder heads. Professor Boakye is equally interested in semiconductor materials used in photovoltaic devices. In the field of renewable energy, semiconductor devices have made significant contributions to the development of alternative energy sources.

Therefore, the papers by Professor Boakye add a tremendous amount of novelty to the magnetic properties of metals and semiconductor devices in photovoltaic applications.

Professor Boakye was invited by scientists in the Wright Paterson Laboratory of NASA Dayton Ohio for discussions in Astrophysics. August 14, 2010.

Professor F. Boakye received the Award of Distinguished Professor in Solid State Physics (Research And Development) from Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 60th-Anniversary congregation held in November 2011.

Below is the list of some service to the University, Nationa and International Community.

  • External Examiner, University of Development Studies (U.D.S.), 2002-2004.
  • External Examiner: Doctor of Philosophy in Physics – University of Ghana Legon, 2010-Date.
  • Associate Coordinator, Laser and Fibre Optic Centre, University of Cape Coast, 2000 to date.
  • Member of Editorial Board, Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 2000 to 2011
  • Member of Ad-hoc committee on the council of KNUST to review certain decisions on promotion to professional status, 2002.
  • Assessor of articles for promotion to the professional status from the University of Ghana, Legon, 2004 and 2008.
  • Assessor of articles for promotion to principal research officer of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
  • Chief Examiner for WAEC, 1992-1998.
  • Member of council of WAEC, 1997-2003.
  • Member of Ghana Administrative and Finance Committee of WAEC 1997-2003.
  • Member of Education Committee of WAEC 1997-2003.
  • Member of GUSS (KNUST) (Nominated by the University Council) 1998-2000.
  • Member of the committee to report on the performance of the provosts of KNUST 2006.
  • Member of the Search Team of Provost in KNUST, 2009.
  • Chairman, Inauguration of West African Material Science Association, Akure Nigeria -2003.
  • Served on the Academic Board of KNUST, Kumasi. 1988-1990, 1999-2010.
  • Served on the College of Science Board and College of Science Promotion Committee, 2004-2010.
  • Served on the Faculty Board, 1998-2010.
  • Served on the Department Board, 1974-2011.
  • Served as Senior Tutor Republic Hall of Residence, 1984-1986.
  • Served as Hall Master Republic Hall of Residence, 1986-1988.
  • Chairman Time Table/ Examination Committee of the Faculty of Science, 1990-1994.
  • Served on the Faculty Board of Architecture and Planning, 1992-1994.
  • Chairman, Review of Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of the Faculty of Science, 2005 to date.
  • Director of Graduate programmes: Department of Physics, 2008 to date.
  • Head of Department of Optometry Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 1998-2003.

Professor Francis Boakye played a key role as the Foundation of Optometry programme at KNUST. With a discussion with the late Dr Kojovi Morny, the Premier School of Optometry started in or about 1990. Within a few years, the Department of Physics and the Department of E.E.N.T of the School of Medical Sciences worked out plans for a possible postgraduate diploma programme in optometry with Prof. Boakye as appointed the Coordinator. This later led to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc.) and finally the Doctor of Optometry (OD) programme in KNUST and he was appointed the Head of the new department in 1999. KNUST has graduated more than one hundred and forty (140) Doctors in Optometry. The programme is presently recognized by the World Council of Optometry.

The Nobel Committee for Physics 2015 invited Pro. F. Boakye as one of the specially appointed experts to assist the committee in the nomination of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Congratulations to Professor Francis Boakye!