On Wednesday May 21, 2025, Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Laura Ranalli paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson. The meeting, held at the Council Chamber, KNUST, focused on exploring avenues for enhanced collaboration between Italian institutions and KNUST, particularly in architecture and engineering, and the possibility of co-hosting academic conferences and seminars.
Professor Dickson warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed her appreciation for the visit, emphasizing KNUST’s longstanding commitment to partnerships that drive innovation and real-world impact. She reiterated the University’s dedication to strengthening its ties with Italian institutions for mutual growth and development
Her Excellency Laura Ranalli lauded KNUST’s reputation as one of Africa’s top universities in engineering and technical education and expressed her eagerness to foster stronger academic ties between KNUST and leading Italian Universities and technical institutes.
Discussions centered on areas of mutual interest, including sustainable urban development, smart mobility systems, the use of digital tools in architectural education, and the promotion of joint academic programmes. Both parties also explored opportunities for cultural exchange and the promotion of institutional partnerships to facilitate students' and staff mobility.
To solidify these ties, both sides agreed to initiate several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Italian institutions. These would support faculty and student exchange programmes, double degree offerings, short-term technical training, and initiatives aimed at improving visa acquisition processes for academic travels. The visit ended with an exchange of symbolic gifts and a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to deepening long-term collaboration in engineering, architecture, and higher education between Italy and KNUST.
Also present at the meeting were Honorable Stefano Ramella Pezza, the Honorary Vice Consul of Italy for the Kumasi–Ashanti, Northern, and Western Regions of Ghana, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng, Registrar of KNUST; Prof. Esmeranda Manful, Vice Dean, International Programmes Office; Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, Deputy Registrar, University Relations Office; Ms. Evelyn Safowaa and Mr. Joel Mensah, Senior Administrative Assistants; and Mr. Attah-Nyame Essampong, Visibility and Communications Officer, all of the International Programmes Office.
