University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences set to open

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the government will operationalise the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences at Bunsi in the Abuakwa South District of the Eastern Region in October this year.

The construction of the university, which is about 95 per cent complete, is expected to be fully finished by the end of March, paving the way for the enrolment of the first batch of 800 students.

When operational, the university will run two schools: the School of Engineering and the School of Agricultural Sciences, each offering four programmes.

The courses to be offered include Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering under the School of Engineering, while the School of Agricultural Sciences will run Agronomy, Livestock, Animal Science and Agribusiness programmes.

The Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, disclosed this yesterday during a working visit to the university.

The visit formed part of an assessment of the physical infrastructure, which is being constructed with funding support of $90 million from the Government of the Republic of Korea.

Construction, which began in April 2022, includes facilities for the two schools, student hostels to accommodate 800 students, an exhibition hall and a cafeteria.

The project was originally conceptualised as part of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development but has since evolved into a stand-alone institution.

Mr Iddrisu, accompanied by the South Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Park Kyongsig, officials from the Ministry of Education, technical advisers and the contractor, said the proposed university would serve as a strategic bridge between industry and academia, aligning higher education training with the practical needs of Ghana’s economy.

He noted that industry–academia collaboration would be the defining niche of the new university to ensure that teaching, research and innovation responded directly to the demands of commerce, technology and a rapidly changing global environment.

“Universities must review their pedagogies to reflect the needs of industry and commerce,” he said, adding that graduates must be equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical, industry-relevant skills.

Mr Iddrisu explained that work on the project stalled in 2022 due to Ghana’s debt exchange programme, leaving outstanding obligations of $28.6 million, including $9.8 million owed by the Ministry of Finance.

He, however, assured that government was committed to settling the outstanding amounts to enable completion of the project.

He announced that, subject to Cabinet approval and Parliamentary passage, a bill to establish the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences would be passed into law on or before March 30, with the university expected to admit its first batch of students in October 2026.

Ambassador Kyongsig reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development through sustained cooperation in education and infrastructure.

The Chairman of the University Development Committee, Professor Asamoah, said successful economies across the world were built on strong industrial and agricultural foundations.

“That underscores the importance of linking education directly to national production and economic growth,” he stated.

Prof. Asamoah announced that the university would commence academic work with two faculties — the School of Engineering and the School of Agricultural Sciences — designed to support industrialisation and food security.

BY CLIFF EKUFUL, BUNSO

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