A two-man delegation from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) has paid a visit to the University for Development Studies. The team, made up of Mr. Richard Lamb, the KTP Manager in the United Kingdom and Mr. John Clayton, the KTP Advisor for Africa, first paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan.

The two men were in the University to follow up on, and to assess the progress of the Improved Agri-Food Value Chains for Fortified Blended Flour Project. The project aims to produce a Nutrient-Rich, Healthy Recipe for School and Household Meals in Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Richard Lamb, the KTP Manager, UK expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the warm reception. He stated that the University for Development Studies was chosen as a benchmark among other universities since it was one of the largest universities in the sub-region. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Seidu Alhassan indicated that one of the challenges facing Africa was the lack of researched based products on nutrition. He explained that though a lot of work and resources go into conducting research, in most cases, nothing is done after the findings and recommendations are documented. He complimented the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) for taking up the initiative to support the production of the Improved Agri-Food Value Chains for Fortified Blended Flour Project which will help to produce a nutrient-rich, healthy recipe for school and household meals in commercial quantities in Ghana.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are one of the longest standing schemes available to academics for industry collaboration. This scheme sponsors partnerships between academics and companies to solve problems identified by the partner organisation, typically for two years. A KTP associate is recruited to work with the organisation and is jointly supervised. The scheme is funded by Innovate UK and is supported by most UK Research Councils.

A partnership is formed between a company and the University, in this case, the University for Development Studies, (UDS), and the collaboration is supported by funding from Innovate UK. The collaboration is centred on a project that is of strategic importance to the company. 

Also present at the meeting to welcome the delegation were the Registrar, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, the Director of Finance, Dr Mohammed Hardi Shaibu, Mr. Gideon Adjorlolo the AAKTP Project Coordinator, and the AAKTP Associate, Mr. Valentine Acharibasam.

Story by: 
Abdul Hayi Moomen (University Relations)