Takoradi Technical University, TTU, has signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding with Kantanka Group to establish technology centres for the manufacture of drones, lithium batteries and vehicular tyres.
This the University hopes to achieve through the establishment of Lithium battery, tyre and drone manufacturing technology centres by the Chongqing Transport University in China who also have a partnership with the Kantanka Group of Companies.
The MoU aims at not only establishing these centres but also providing students with opportunity to have training relating to their feild of study and have attachment with Kantanka Group.
The Vice Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, who signed the MOU on behalf of University, while expressing his enthusiasm for signing the MoU emphasized the importance of research to unlocking the potential of rubber industries especially tyre production. He also said a partnership with China will aid in exportations and importations.
“Kwame Nkrumah brought rubber here and I believe that its arcarche now. Since we have the raw materials, we also have to research to know how the rubbers are used to get the tyre. I also think that if we partner with China, we can also export so that our dollar will be more stable. We are happy about signing this MOU and I pray that we start working on it. They say a long journey begins with a step and I believe we need to start working and see this come to pass,” he said.
Rev. Prof. Eshun added that due to the aboundance of Lithium in Zimbabwe, TTU will also collaborate with three universities in Zimbabwe it already has MoU to make this project a success.
“We have an MoU with three universities in Zimbabwe, because they also have lithium so we will leverage on the MoU with Zimababwe and see how we can also bring them in. We will start small and we will all benefit from it, so we need to connect so that we can be able to win”, he mentioned.
General Manager of Kantanka Group, Francis Kojo Kudjordie, who signed the MoU on behalf of the Kantanka Group said the MoU was born out of a potential he witnessed during his visit to the university a year ago. He mentioned that TTU and Kantanka Group will collaborate with Chongqing Transport University in China, which will provide the university with Tyre manufacturing and lithium battery manufacturing technologies.
He also indicated that the MoU will not only be for a short period however it will be longlasting which will benefit the future generations.
Also adding his voice, Pro Vice Chancellor of TTU, Prof. Victor Bonzie Micah, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship between the TTU and Kantanka Group of Companies. He noted the importance of the ongoing engagement and its potential to benefit TTU significantly.
He also acknowledged Kantanka Group’s efforts in providing opportunities for TTU students through attachment and internships, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing talents and fostering practical learning experiences.
“we’ve had some collaborations within the TU’s and Kantanka Group of Companies, and I must appreciate them for this initiative. It started helping us showcase our works to the world. And once again, this shows their commitment to technical universities…and looking at how this started, I believe it will go a long way to benefit us. Constantly, they have been in contact with us as IPELO is charge of this MoU. I’m sure if we get someone from engineering to accompany them in that relationship it will be in the right direction,” he said.
Vice Dean for the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Emmanuel Kobina Panye, emphasized the significance of bridging the gap between industry and academia, particularly in research.
“When we talk about the market maze, we look at industry partnering academia in terms of products essence in the market,” he stated.
He said the faculty will play their part in making the collaboration a success and commended the Vice Chancellor for his vision for spearheading efforts to build bridges between academia and industry.
