The Ministry of Education (MoE) in a bid to create a path to transform the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) into a national cutting-edge institution, to support the government’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has engaged a consortium, Royal knight Consult and INZAG Germany GMBH to develop the Nsoatre campus of the University which would run the Schools of Engineering, Energy and Sciences.
With this development, the University on March 30, 2022, through the consortium held a strategic stakeholder meeting at the Eusbett Hotel to brief the Regional House of Chiefs, the Nsoatre Traditional Council and other stakeholders in the Bono region, on the progress of work and the need to support the project’s completion.
In his welcome address at the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako used the opportunity to commend all the stakeholders involved for their immense contributions leading to the development of the campus. Giving a background on the project, the Vice-Chancellor explained that a Memorandum of Understanding was executed in April 2021 with the consortium to redesign the master plan and develop the campus which is in line with Act 830, 20211 and the university’s strategic plan. He appreciated the efforts of the government through the Ministries of Education and Finance that engaged the consortium to develop the campus for operationalization.
The Vice-Chancellor established that the University has made various achievements since its inception in 2012 with few students. He noted that the University also is undertaking numerous projects of national interest prominent among them are three (3) waste-to-energy projects that have won huge sums of grants for the University. He thus called on the stakeholders to continually support the University to achieve its mandate.
The Chairman of the meeting who also doubles as the Vice President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Okokyiredom Sekyi II commended efforts made by the University management to draw the government’s assistance to develop the University. On behalf of the House, he pledged his support for the project calling on the government to immediately establish a medical school at UENR to cater for the tripartite regions which is a critical area to consider in STEM education.
In her remarks, the Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene indicated that the University is spearheading the agenda to maintain the green forest in Bono, she called on all stakeholders to gear their maximum towards the completion of the Nsoatre campus project. The Regional Mins. Lauded the Nsoatre Traditional Council for availing their land for educational development despite the high economic value of a land property. She emphasized on government’s support for the project adding, “UENR is doing so well and they must be given the needed support.”
On their part, the Commercial Manager of the consortium, Mr. Joao Lages, revealed that the project site has been inspected since 2019 for a data survey. He further indicated that the master plan is also ready and an effort has been initiated to secure funding from the German government for the project.
