The Department of Environmental Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has successfully concluded a highly productive four-day strategic retreat. Held from October 29th to November 1st, 2025, at the KNUST Eco-Resort in Moree, Central Region, the retreat was a pivotal event focused on "Strategic Reflection, Capacity Building and Cohesion for Enhanced Productivity."
The retreat inspired productive discussions and planning that produced key outcomes to drive the department’s progress. A major highlight was the formal reconstitution of its research framework into four dynamic, interdisciplinary clusters to enhance innovation and grant competitiveness. The newly established research groups are:
- Climate Change (impact assessment, adaptation, and mitigation)
- Pollution Monitoring and Environmental Forensics (tracking contaminants and identifying sources)
- Environmental Restoration (rehabilitating and recovering degraded ecosystems)
- Circular Economy (developing sustainable resource use and waste management models)
All academic staff in the department have been integrated into these groups, with appointed coordinators to drive research agendas.
The event also featured critical capacity-building sessions. A grant writing workshop, facilitated by Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei, equipped staff with strategies for developing compelling proposals, including a forward-looking discussion on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research. In a session on academic progression, led by Prof. Jonathan N. Hogarh, staff were provided with clear guidance on the strategic pathway from Lecturer to Professor, with emphasis on excellence in research, teaching, and service.
