KNUST Strengthens Push for Innovation Commercialisation Through Strategic Partnership Talks
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has taken a significant step toward advancing innovation and research commercialisation following a high-level engagement between its College of Engineering and key stakeholders from industry and development partnerships.
A delegation from the Private Sector and Innovation Promotion in Ghana (PSInno) programme, working in collaboration with the DIPPER Lab, met with the Provost of the College of Engineering to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration and scaling research-driven innovations.
Bridging Research and Industry
Welcoming the delegation, the Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, highlighted a persistent challenge within academia—transforming innovative research into market-ready solutions. He noted that although universities produce impactful research, many student-led innovations fail to progress beyond the academic stage due to inadequate support systems after graduation.
He emphasised that initiatives such as the proposed KNUST enterprise framework could provide a structured pathway to help innovators transition their ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.
Aligning Innovation with Industry Needs
The PSInno delegation included Agribusiness Team Lead Elvis Mensah Bonsu and Technical Advisor Elipklim Sabblah, alongside Prof. Eric Tutu Tchao, Scientific Director of DIPPER Lab and Head of the Computer Engineering Department at KNUST.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Bonsu underscored the importance of aligning academic research with industry application. He noted that while a considerable volume of research is produced, the real challenge lies in creating practical pathways that enable these innovations to thrive in the commercial space and deliver measurable impact.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
The meeting also brought together key figures from academia and industry, including Paul Kwadwo Addo, Registrar of the College of Engineering; Isaac Sesi, CEO of Sesi Technologies; and Prof. Abdul Samed Muntaka, Senior Technical Advisor at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain – Africa (CARISCA).
Prior to the meeting, the PSInno team engaged with researchers at DIPPER Lab, where ongoing digital and innovation projects were showcased, offering insights into the university’s growing research ecosystem.
Showcasing Innovation Ecosystems
As part of the visit, the delegation toured key innovation hubs within KNUST, including the College of Engineering Innovation Centre and CARISCA. These visits provided firsthand exposure to ongoing research initiatives and highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering innovation across sectors such as agribusiness and the digital economy.
Driving Impact Through Collaboration
The PSInno programme, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises, stimulate innovation, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
The engagement with KNUST reflects a shared commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry ensuring that research outputs not only remain within academic circles but evolve into scalable solutions capable of driving economic growth and development in Ghana.