A team of four from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) comprising Prof. Akwasi Acheampong Aning, Associate Professor at the Department of Physics and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs; Dr. Henry Martin, Lecturer at the Department of Physics and Coordinator of the Mathematical and Computational Physics Unit and RealMaths: KNUST & NIMS PATH; Dr. Gaston Edem Awashie, Lecturer at the Department of Mathematics; and Mrs. Evelyn Safowaa Asante, Senior Administrative Assistant at the International Programmes Office, participated in the 2025 Blended Intensive Programme (B.I.P.) in Mathematical Modelling at the University of L’Aquila, Italy, from June 25 2025 to July 9, 2025.
The 2025 Blended Intensive Programme in Mathematical Modelling consisted of a series of short courses targeted at MSc and PhD students of the InterMaths Network and the EULiST European Alliance. The programme was organized by the Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics of the University of L’Aquila in collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI).
On July 2, 2025, the University of L’Aquila presented its Strategic Plan for International Relations beyond the European Union, reinforcing its commitment to global academic and scientific cooperation. The plan aims to attract students and faculty from outside the EU, with a particular focus on the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood, Southern Mediterranean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Special emphasis was placed on partnerships with universities in crisis-affected areas, including Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria, where the University of L’Aquila has established active collaborations.
The event saw participation from partner institutions, including the KNUST, Ghana; the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS); the University of Monastir, Tunisia; Kharkiv National University, Ukraine; Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine; Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine; and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine.
Discussions centred on opportunities for joint projects, student exchanges, and professional development, and paved the way for an upcoming memorandum aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture in partnership with Sapienza University and other collaborators.
Following a visit by the University of L’Aquila delegation to KNUST in May 2025 to discuss the Smart and Sustainable (Water) Management System project, the KNUST team held further meetings to advance collaboration on this project.
Additionally, during their visit, the team engaged with Ghanaian students studying at the University of L’Aquila, addressing topics related to their academic programmes, living conditions, social integration, and exploring possible support mechanisms to improve their welfare.
Mrs. Evelyn Safowaa Asante also had the opportunity to observe the operations of the International Relations Office at the University of L’Aquila and gained insight into the application process for European Union programme scholarships.
As part of fostering cultural and institutional exchange, on Monday, July 7, 2025, the KNUST team made a symbolic presentation of KNUST souvenirs to the InterMaths Network. In a reciprocal gesture, the MathMods & InterMaths Alumni Association also presented souvenirs to the KNUST team on the same day, in appreciation of the growing partnership and mutual collaboration between the institutions.
