Following an agreement signed between the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) in 2023, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson led a seven-member team to the VRA premises for further discussions. The meeting, held at the Hydro conference room, explored the modalities of the MoU which is for a period of five years.
The Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development Department (E&SDD) of VRA, whose activities align with UESD’s mandate, will work closely with the University. The UESD delegation was therefore received by the Director of E&SDD, Mr. Ben Sackey, who introduced the thirteen-member team that will collaborate with the team from the University.
Mr. Sackey expressed hope that through its internships with VRA, UESD students will generate research topics to enhance their dissertations. He also highlighted the opportunity for VRA staff and students to produce joint research papers or execute joint projects. He noted that various VRA departments have tasks relatable to UESD’s programmes, fostering a more interactive connection between the two institutions.
He was optimistic about the collaboration between the two institutions and encouraged the team from UESD to outline the needs of the students and specify their expectations regarding research and community projects.
In response, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson emphasised the importance for UESD to identify and collaborate with institutions that align with their mandate to prioritise environmental matters, noting that VRA is one such institution. Prof. Nyarko-Sampson added that UESD’s programmes encompass many of the areas VRA is involved in, making it an ideal partner for the University to engage with for the benefit of their students.
Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson gave an overview of UESD, outlining its vision, achievements over the last four years, and plans for the future. He discussed the new programmes and departments at UESD, emphasizing that the university’s management aims to make these programs as practical as possible.
The discussions covered areas such as joint research, information sharing, training of staff and students, and internships. The collaboration is expected to bring the services of both UESD and VRA closer to the communities around the Volta Lake.
There were PowerPoint presentations from both sides, outlining their activities, including the Water Resource and Renewable Energy Department, Community Relations-Corporate Affairs, Engineering Services Department, Public Health, Human Resources Department, and other units that provide services such as social infrastructure projects.
Both teams agreed to establish a committee to plan the various programmes and projects to be undertaken by the two institutions under the MoU for the next four years.
The other UESD members present were: the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah: Registrar Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, Dr. Richard Amfo-Otu, Dr. Jacob Kwabene Dodoo, and teaching staff.