TCC-CIMET Explores Strategic Collaboration with Technical University of Denmark

A delegation from the Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Transfer (TCC-CIMET) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has paid a strategic visit to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to explore collaborative opportunities in research, innovation, and capacity building.

The visit, led by Professor Ing. Alexander Boakye Marful and Dr. Oliver Kornyo, sought to establish partnerships that would enhance academic exchange, technology transfer, and innovation-led development across Africa.

In discussions with the Office of International Education at DTU, both parties underscored their shared commitment to advancing student and staff mobility, joint research, and the co-development of competitive grant proposals. These areas were identified as the “low-hanging fruits” for short-term collaboration with measurable outcomes.

The TCC-CIMET team also held meetings with several DTU units, including DTU Sustain, DTU Compute, DTU Construct, and DTU Skylab to initiate multidisciplinary cooperation spanning sustainable technologies, computational sciences, construction, and entrepreneurship.

Professor Marful described the engagement at DTU Skylab, particularly interactions with the Next Generation Digital Action (NGDA) initiative, as “inspiring and transformative.”

He said the hands-on, innovation-driven culture at Skylab had directly influenced the creation of KNUST’s Smart Cities and Manufacturing Lab (SCiM Lab), a new initiative promoting innovation, frugal design, and entrepreneurship in Ghana.

“Our SCiM Lab, much like DTU Skylab in its early days, is starting small but with great vision and determination. The mentorship and guidance from DTU Skylab will be instrumental as we build our capacity and expand innovation across Africa,” said Professor Alexander Boakye Marful.

On behalf of the Director-General of TCC-CIMET, Professor Francis Davis, the delegation extended an invitation to DTU representatives to visit Kumasi, Ghana, in 2026.

The planned visit will offer DTU an opportunity to experience Ghana’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, the spirit of frugal innovation, and the cultural richness that defines KNUST’s approach to applied research and development.

As a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence, TCC-CIMET serves as a continental hub for innovation and technology transfer, connecting institutions and industries across Nigeria, Ethiopia, Namibia, Uganda, The Gambia, and Liberia.

The collaboration with DTU is envisioned not only as a bilateral partnership but as a foundation for broader Africa–NGDA cooperation in science, technology, and sustainable development.