On Monday, July 28, 2025, Dr. Yousif Hassan, a Sudanese-American and Assistant Professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and School of Information, University of Michigan, USA paid a courtesy visit to Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The visit was facilitated by Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at KNUST, who led the delegation to the IPO. Professor Kponyo shared that RAIL is committed to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for sustainability, and meaningful progress can only be made through strategic partnerships. It was in this context that they engaged Dr. Hassan, whose research focuses on AI and machine learning, particularly in the African context. Dr. Hassan is currently in KNUST to tour the university’s AI labs and deliver a lecture on the responsible use of AI. His visit to the IPO was to formally introduce him to the university’s international collaboration structures.
Professor Daniel Duah warmly welcomed Dr. Hassan and expressed appreciation for the visit. He emphasized the value KNUST places on partnerships in its vision to become the best university in Africa. While noting the importance of North-South collaborations, Professor Duah highlighted KNUST’s strong commitment to South-South partnerships, adding that it was a pleasure to welcome an academic with roots and insights in both contexts.
He further reiterated KNUST’s strategic interest in AI, revealing that this year’s Summer School theme explores how AI intersects with all facets of human life. Professor Duah assured the delegation of IPO’s readiness to support and facilitate any collaborative efforts that may emerge from this engagement.
Also present at the meeting were Prof. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, Dr. Mrs. Martina Baidoo, Miss Gifty Antoinette Hukpati, and Mr. Kwadwo Nyantakyi Marfo, all from RAIL; as well as Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Mr. Livingstone Agbenorxevi, and Mr. Attah-Nyame Essampong from the IPO.
