KNUST gets two labs for petrochemical courses

Two new laboratories to enhance the teaching and learning of chemical and petrochemical courses at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have been inaugurated in Kumasi. 

The facilities, built by the Ministry of Petroleum under the oil and gas capacity building project, are part of efforts by the ministry to help students acquire skills and expertise for them to work in the oil and gas sector. 

The project, which involved the redesigning and layout, refurbishment works and installation of specialised equipment for the existing Process Engineering and Unit Operations laboratories, were constructed at a cost of $2.8 million.

It is a component of the oil and gas capacity building project designed to support and strengthen the capacity of KNUST to be able to provide high-level degree programmes in petroleum and petrochemical engineering.

The facilities have also been equipped with teaching materials such as unit operation equipment for petroleum and petrochemical engineering courses.

Strengthening local capacity

The Minister of Petroleum, Mr Kofi-Armah Buah, in a speech read on his behalf at the event, said the implementation of the oil and gas capacity building project had helped to mitigate some of the obstacles in the oil and gas sector.  

According to him, the project had as well enhanced transparency by way of strengthening local technical skills in the oil and gas sector. 

The minister said the passage of the Local Content and Local Participation Regulation L.I 2204 of 2013 had ensured that indigenous Ghanaians participated fully in the value chain.

Employable skills

The minister added that the ministry in collaboration with the Petroleum Commission (PC) had introduced a two-year career skills development initiative under the Ghana Upstream Sector Internship Programme (GUSIP).

The programme, which entails a comprehensive practical skills development aimed at exposing young people to the oil and gas working environment, would ensure they have practical experience, vocational skills and professional integration into industry.

The Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, Professor William Otto Ellis, commended the ministry for the completion of the project and gave an assurance that the two facilities would be put to good use.