By Nana
Osei Kyeretwie/Christopher Tetteh, GNA
Sunyani, Aug. 13, GNA – The University of
Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in partnership with four other institutions
is undertaking studies in Lake Bosomtwe and its enviorns in the Bosomtwe
District of Ashanti Region.
Professor Harrison Kwame Dapaah, the
Vice-Chancellor (VC) announced in his 2017/2018 academic year report at the
University’s third congregation on Saturday in Sunyani, saying the project was
being funded with a US$1.2 million Danish International Development Agency
Grant
He said the research dubbed “Building
Resilience of Lake Bosomtwe to Climate Change (RELAB)” was led by Dr Peter
Sanful of the Department of Fisheries and Water Resources at the University.
The Project was under the Goal Two of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which envisioned that by 2030 the world
could end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture among others, the VC said.
The ultimate objective of the project was to
protect urban agricultural investment in Ghana to provide employment, healthy
food, protect the environment and deliver on the nation’s Gross Domestic
Product growth commitments, Prof. Dapaah added.
He said the project would establish UENR as
the Centre of Expertise in innovative and technology transfer centre for the
urban agricultural sub-sector where industry, academia and other benefactors
could access the research and training opportunities the University
offered.
Touching on major infrastructural challenges,
Prof. Dapaah said they included the need for multi-purpose auditoriums and
libraries, lecture hall complex and laboratories with modern equipment for
world class Science and Technology University.
He added that others were halls of residence,
offices for staff and PhD students as well as housing for teaching and
non-teaching staff.
Prof. Dapaah stressed that those were required
not only in the Sunyani campus but also at the other three campuses at Nsoatre
in Sunyani West District, Dormaa-Ahenkro in Dormaa Central Municipality and
Kenyasi Number Two in Asutifi North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.
The VC stated that transportation, health and
agriculture challenges included the need for buses and pick-up vehicles,
tractors and accessories as well as farm machinery and an inter-campus shuttle
system for staff and students and well-equipped University Clinic for all
campuses.
Technical and security-related challenges,
Prof Dapaah indicated also comprised fibre optic cabling of three campuses (ICT
infrastructure), consistent high speed internet connectivity, teaching aids and
books for teaching, learning and research, fencing of UENR lands to prevent
encroachment, Police Post, Police visibility and night patrols on all campuses.
Meanwhile 876 graduands including 21
post-graduates graduated with Bachelor’s, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and
Master of Science (MSc) degrees.
The post-graduates after two years of studies
obtained MPhil, Social Forestry and Environmental Governance, MSc Environmental
Engineering Management and MSc, Sustainable Energy Management degrees.
The number comprised 733 males, representing
83.7 per cent and 143 females, indicating 15.3 per cent and the award of the
post-graduate degrees were the first time in the history of the University.
GNA