The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has secured a US$45,864 grant to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) education, research and innovation at the university. The funding forms part of the Africa AI Upskilling Programme, a continental initiative aimed at developing a stronger and more sustainable ecosystem for advanced AI education in Africa.
KNUST is among selected higher education institutions in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa participating in the programme. The initiative seeks to equip universities with the resources and support needed to expand AI teaching, applied research and innovation while preparing students and researchers for the rapidly changing technological environment.
The Africa AI Upskilling Programme is being implemented by the FATE Foundation in partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), with support from Google.org.
As part of the programme, participating universities will have access to the Google DeepMind AI Research Foundations Curriculum. They will also receive technical, academic and institutional support intended to strengthen the delivery of AI education and research.
For KNUST, the US$45,864 subgrant will be used to support implementation of the programme and build the university’s institutional capacity in AI education. The project is expected to provide a platform for strengthening the skills of students, academics and researchers while encouraging broader collaboration across different academic disciplines.
Strengthening AI Skills
Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing education, business, healthcare, science and other sectors, creating a growing demand for people with relevant technical and research skills.
Against this background, the programme is expected to help KNUST expand its capacity to train students and researchers in emerging AI technologies. It will also create opportunities for multidisciplinary teaching, research and innovation.
The university’s participation is being coordinated by Prof. Eric Appau Asante, who serves as the project lead and primary programme contact person for KNUST.
He will work with university management, participating academic units, multidisciplinary AI champions, teaching assistants and programme partners to implement the project and support its long-term sustainability.
KNUST is also expected to provide the facilities, academic support and institutional environment required for the successful implementation of the programme. The university plans to explore ways of incorporating lessons and outcomes from the initiative into its broader academic and innovation ecosystem.
Boost for Research and Innovation
The grant is expected to go beyond classroom instruction by supporting the development of an environment where AI-related research and innovation can flourish.
Through access to specialised curriculum and technical support, researchers and academics at KNUST will have opportunities to deepen their understanding of AI and apply emerging technologies to different fields of study.
The initiative also aligns with KNUST’s broader focus on innovation, digital transformation and globally relevant education. By strengthening AI capacity, the university could further position itself as an important centre for technology education and research in Ghana and the wider African region.
The programme’s continental approach also creates opportunities for participating institutions to learn from one another and contribute to the development of AI expertise across Africa.
For students, the initiative could provide stronger exposure to emerging technologies and help prepare them for careers in an increasingly digital economy. For researchers, it could open new opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and applied research.
The grant therefore represents an important step in KNUST’s efforts to expand AI education and research while contributing to Africa’s growing technological capacity.
Source: Thepressradio.com
