The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) participated in the second media engagement of the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) project, held on 14th October 2026 at the CSIR–Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG). The event showcased progress and upcoming opportunities under “Best Practices in Sustainable Natural Resources Management,” a collaborative project involving Lakehead University in Canada and partner institutions in Ghana.
Led by Professor Mathew Leitch of Lakehead University’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management, the five-year project has a funding allocation of $570,000 to support education, professional development and knowledge exchange. It focuses on three priority areas: wood science and technology, remote sensing/geomatics, and ecological studies.
Central to the initiative is capacity-building, with provision for three fully funded master’s scholarships, nine one-month visiting scholar placements and tailored certificate training for 23 early- to mid-career professionals from partner institutions.
UENR’s delegation included Prof. Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Derkyi, who chaired the programme, and Prof. Daniel Akoto Sarfo, Dean of the School of Natural Resources. Other participating lecturers from the School of Natural Resources were Dr Yaw Boakye Agyemang, Prof. Alex Amerh Agbeshie, and Mr Daniel Adusu. Also in attendance were Dr Alfred Bienibuor and Dr John Kwasi Annan, Centre Registrar for CeGRI, whose participation focused on establishing contacts for future research partnerships and collaboration.
The engagement highlighted several project milestones. In September 2025, two Ghanaian students commenced Master of Science in Forestry programmes at Lakehead University. In June 2026, seven professionals undertook a one-month training programme in wood science and forest products at the university’s Thunder Bay campus, while two senior faculty members completed visiting scholar placements. These activities promoted knowledge exchange and the documentation of best practices for adoption in Ghana.
Further training workshops and visiting scholar opportunities are planned for 2027 and 2028, with an additional master’s student expected to begin studies in 2027 on a full scholarship.
UENR’s participation provided valuable insight into opportunities for staff development, postgraduate education and collaborative research. The engagement also offered a platform for strengthening institutional connections and exploring how international knowledge exchange can advance the University’s teaching, research and contribution to sustainable natural resources management.
