The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, warmly received a delegation from BioMex® and University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, Germany on 3rd June, 2026 at the Council Chamber. The purpose of their visit was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and an Operational Agreement, aimed at strengthening biomedIcal and pharmaceutical development in Ghana.
The BioMex® delegation comprised Mr. Marc Bludau, Managing Director; Prof. Dr. Clemens Wollny, Project Head; Dr. Anna Kwarley Quartey, Expert and Technical Advisor GIZ; Mr. Adedeji Olusanya, Project Manager; and Ms. Eva Krolla, Marketing Director.
During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Clemens Wollny highlighted that the BioMex® programme was developed over a nine-year period and first implemented in Rwanda. Having established the programme successfully, he added that BioMex® is now seeking to expand the initiative to other countries, including Ghana and is expected to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Germany while creating opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty members in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.
Prof. Dr. Wollny emphasized that the programme focuses on strengthening biomedical and pharmaceutical training through applied and practice-oriented learning. They noted that approximately 50% of participants progress into industry while the rest continue into higher levels of education, reflecting the programme’s dual emphasis on professional skills development and academic advancement. As part of the collaboration, practical training components of the programme will be conducted in Kumasi in line with the Agreement. The BioMex® delegation indicated that funding has been secured for the next two years while efforts continue to mobilize additional resources to support long-term implementation.
Welcoming the initiative, Prof. (Mrs.) Dickson reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to impactful international partnerships, particularly those that advance research, innovation, and capacity building. She noted that KNUST is excited about research-focused collaborations and reiterated the University’s position that partnerships should deliver tangible outcomes rather than gather dust on shelves. The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of collaboration, noting that institutions standing alone would be vulnerable to future challenges.
The discussion ended on a high note with both parties agreeing to sustain the programme as it expands.
Present at the meeting were the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. David Asamoah; and Registrar Mr. Benjamin Boampong Owusu as well as representatives from the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the International Programmes Office and the University Relations Office.
