The College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is set to construct a US$3.5 million technology innovation hub in commemoration of its 75th anniversary celebrations.
Dubbed the "Legacy Project," the four-storey state-of-the-art technology innovation building will serve as a platform for industry-academia research, innovation and co-creation.
When completed, the facility will be a place where designs and innovations of the college's students will be prototyped and tested in the field. It will also have spaces for industry players as part of efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Anniversary launch
The Provost of the College, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, disclosed this during the launch of the 75th anniversary celebrations at the Great Hall on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The event was held under the theme, "Excellence to eminence: 75 years of engineering education at KNUST."
He said there was no need for industries to have research and development offices in Accra and Tema when the college was ready to provide them with dedicated space in the building.
"Let us come together and put it up. We want industry to have a meaningful presence within the building," he said.
"This will enable industry to work alongside faculty, researchers, students and entrepreneurs to address real-world challenges and develop new technologies, products and services," he added.
Strategic plan
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Christian Agyare, said the college had a crucial role to play in realising the university's corporate strategic plan, known as Plan 2K35, which aims to make the institution a leading university in science, technology, research and national development.
"Your contribution is essential to advancing technological innovation, strengthening industry partnership, developing highly skilled human capital and addressing the challenges confronting the nation and continent," he said.
He urged the college to continue to embrace digital transformation, promote sustainable engineering practices, strengthen its international research networks and pursue academic programmes that respond to the changing demands of industry and society.
The Chief Executive Officer of Associated Consultants Limited, Mr Kwabena Bempong, who was the guest speaker, advised students to lead with integrity, noting that engineering was about public trust.
The Paramount Chief of Asante Mampong, Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, who was the guest of honour, appealed to the faculty to create a space at the new innovation hub for start-up support so that students with great innovations could be better nurtured by lecturers and industry.
Complex challenges
The Chairman of the university's Governing Council, Akyamfuor Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, said engineering challenges of today were increasingly complex, ranging from climate change, sustainable energy, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
He charged the college to continue to evolve and strengthen its partnership with industry towards providing solutions to real societal problems.
"We must train our engineers to combine technical competence with creativity, integrity, leadership and a deep sense of responsibility to our society," he said. He also urged alumni to reconnect with the college to mentor students and contribute to national growth.
