Conference Delegates Pay Courtesy Call on IPO Dean Ahead of African International Conference on Quantum Computing and Simulation
A delegation of speakers and facilitators for the African International Conference on Quantum Computing and Simulation paid a courtesy call on the Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Prof. Edmund Ekuadzi, ahead of the conference.
During the visit, Dr. Henry Martin, Coordinator of the Mathematical and Computational Unit at the Department of Physics, said the conference was conceived to respond to the growing global relevance of quantum computing and simulation and the need to position Ghana and Africa within that space.
He outlined the programme structure, noting that the conference will run in two main strands: technical training for students, and a high-level stakeholders’ meeting. The stakeholders’ session, he said, is expected to produce a roadmap and policy recommendations to guide Ghana’s development in quantum computing and simulation.
Dr. Martin underscored the importance of the conference in building local capacity, fostering collaboration and ensuring that students and institutions are not left behind in emerging quantum technologies.
Welcoming the delegation, Dean of the International Programmes Office, Prof. Edmund Ekuadzi, said KNUST’s training philosophy is driven by global relevance and impact rather than purely regional considerations.
“At KNUST, we are not training only for African markets ; we are training for global impact. That is what we always target, and engagements like this matter to us,” he said.
Prof. Ekuadzi noted that the university is in the 26th year of its internationalisation agenda, which focuses on strengthening global partnerships through research collaboration, student and staff exchanges, innovation and academic cooperation.
“You have come at a good time,” he added, stressing that such engagements create opportunities for students and faculty and enrich the academic community.
He encouraged conference organisers to ensure broad interaction with KNUST faculty and students from diverse backgrounds and expressed confidence that the planned training would help students maintain academic excellence.
Prof. Ekuadzi pledged the university’s institutional support to ensure the successful hosting of the conference, describing the initiative as significant not only for KNUST, but also for Ghana and the wider African scientific community.
The Vice Dean of IPO, Prof. (Mrs.) Augustina Angelina Sylverken, also urged delegates to make time to explore the rich academic and cultural environment of KNUST and the city of Kumasi, noting that such experiences complement the conference and provide broader insights for participants.
