On Thursday, 3rd July 2025, two PhD candidates from the University of Southampton, UK comprising Mr. Dion George and Mr. Matthew Abutunghe paid a courtesy visit to Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Kwame Obeng, a Lecturer at the Department of Geomatic Engineering, who noted that the visit formed part of a three-week academic visit from the Department and the School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton. This engagement follows Dr. Obeng’s visit to Southampton in 2024, where discussions were initiated around research collaboration, postgraduate research co-supervision, and staff and student mobility.
During their stay at KNUST, the visiting PhD candidates participated in lectures and practical sessions, delivered presentations on their ongoing doctoral research to faculty, and conducted a hands-on session for students in Geomatic Engineering titled “More than Maps.”
Mr. George’s research focuses on assessing the spatio-temporal characteristics and environmental impacts of formal and informal artisanal mines using satellite imagery and segmentation-based deep learning in Southern Ghana. Mr. Abutunghe’s work explores the spatio-temporal characteristics of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease in Ghana using remote sensing techniques.
Professor Daniel Duah warmly welcomed the team and expressed delight at the tangible outcomes of Dr. Obeng’s earlier visit. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with KNUST’s vision of fostering strategic international partnerships. He also expressed optimism about the sustainability of the collaboration and the potential to expand it to other thematic areas, including student and staff mobility. He concluded by wishing the team well and encouraging future visits to Ghana.
Also present at the meeting were Ms. Ernestine Oheneba Danso, Collaborations and Partnerships Officer at the IPO, and Mr. Stephen Osei Tutu, Senior Administrative Assistant at the Alumni and Advancement Relations Office (AARO).
