A delegation from Imperial College London, led by the Academic Director for Imperial Global Ghana, Prof. Majid Ezzati, has engaged the leadership of the College of Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to explore opportunities for collaboration and institutional partnership.
The visit sought to discuss potential areas for joint research, academic exchanges and expanded collaboration between Imperial College London and the College of Science, with discussions focusing on understanding the College’s research priorities and identifying areas where researchers from both institutions could work together on high-impact projects.
Prof. Ezzati noted that Imperial is currently exploring several thematic areas that could form the basis for collaboration with KNUST.
“One of the areas we are looking at is drug discovery and diagnostics,” he said, adding that the collaboration will also focus on translating research into innovation and new technologies.
Biotechnology is among the key areas being considered, alongside research into electronic waste management and the circular economy, which focuses on sustainable recycling and reuse of materials.
Another potential area of collaboration is research on extreme events, risk and resilience, including climate-related disasters, pandemics and other major health shocks.
“These are some of the areas we are currently exploring to see what kind of relationships may be possible,” Prof. Ezzati said.
He explained that the visit is helping Imperial College build connections with researchers and better understand the breadth of expertise at KNUST.
“We know KNUST is an excellent university, but we were less familiar with the depth of the work and the individuals here. This visit allows us to make those connections,” he said.
As part of the next phase of engagement, Prof. Ezzati indicated that Imperial plans to convene a group of academics from both institutions, along with stakeholders from the innovation and commercial sectors, to explore potential large collaborative projects.
“Our hope is that sometime this year we will bring together academics from Imperial and Ghana to discuss what a large collaborative project might look like and how it could be developed,” he said.
Responding to the proposal, the Provost of the College of Science, Prof. Antwi-Agyei, welcomed the initiative and expressed the College’s readiness to support the partnership.
“That would be very good. We are prepared to bring the College together. Whatever initiative you want to pursue, you are welcome to come to KNUST,” he said.
He also introduced to the members of the Imperial delegation, departments and faculty within the College of Science whose research aligns with the proposed thematic areas.
The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for a future Imperial–KNUST partnership, including opportunities for joint research projects, collaborative grant proposals, staff exchanges and student mobility programmes.
