VRA to Support University of Energy and Natural Resources

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has pledged its preparedness to collaborate and offer technical assistance to the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) as it thrives to become a centre of excellence for the training of scientists and technology experts in Ghana and beyond. The collaboration would not only establish and strengthen ties between VRA and the UENR but build the technical capacities of students, support teaching, research work and development of the school.

The Chief Executive of VRA, Ing. Kirk Koffi, gave this assurance to the school's first batch of Students' Representative Council (SRC) executives based at its main campus in Sunyani when they paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Accra.

The UENR was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 830, 2011 on December 31, 2011. The University is a public funded national institution which seeks to provide leadership and management of energy and natural resources and become a centre of excellence in these areas.

Prior to the passing of the bill establishing the University into law, the then President, the late Prof. J.E.A Mills, set up a National Task Force Planning Committee on January 8, 2010 with the mandate to develop, organize and supervise the implementation of the programme for the establishment of the two new Universities at Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions. Following the recommendations of the Committee, the former President, Prof. J.E.A Mills cut the sod for the commencement of the University at Sunyani on February 8, 2011. The University is a multi campus set-up and currently has three campuses located in Sunyani, Nsoatre and Dormaa Ahenkro.

The three-member delegation who called on the Chief Executive included the SRC President, Mr. Ofei Dei Goodfellow, who was accompanied by his assistant, Ms. Esinam Gloria Darko and Mr. Kwesi Yamoah Abaidoo, Organizing Secretary.

According to the SRC President, the visit was not only to express diplomatic footnote to the Chief Executive but to serve as a prelude to the build-up of a congenial bilateral relationship with VRA. Mr. Goodfellow noted that the visit was to afford the SRC an opportunity to discuss pertinent issues that affect student's academic activities and also establish industry-academia relationship with the VRA.

He said the school was keen on sending students to VRA for practical attachment and research work to improve the quality and relevance of engineering training taught in the classroom. They also beseeched the Authority to allocate a special component of operation to students in its Renewable Energy Development Programme (REDP)-PHASE 1 Project that will be of benefit to students.

Addressing their concerns, Ing Kirk Koffi said he was pleased with the visit of the SRC Executive and expressed profound appreciation to the student leaders. He said VRA was prepared to cooperate with the UENR in a manner that will be mutually beneficial to the two institutions especially as a new institution.

Ing. Kirk Koffi said the extension of VRA's operational networks in the northern sector such as the solar farm in Navrongo and its NEDCo subsidiary would make it easy for students in that part of the country to have full benefit of those facilities for industrial training.

He said VRA will consider dispatching Engineers as resource persons to the school to interact and share with them their experience during the school's impending Technology Summit. He trusted that a positive outcome would emerge from the collaboration as has been with the KNUST and the VRA over the years and noted that VRA was ready to absorb students who fell within its core disciplines of civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.

Ing. Kirk I Koffi, CE of VRA, flanked by the Executives of the Students' Representative Council, UNER.

In other news (January, 2014)

• Kpong Generating Station Maintenance Team restores broken plant elevator.
• Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister tours Akosombo Generating Station.
• We are focused on executing uncompleted projects - Chief Executive assures.
• Reconstituted Board for VRA Resettlement Trust Fund build capacity.
• Chief Executive wishes staff a fruitful New Year.
• AGRA - LIFE Foundation holds Book Fair at Akuse International School.
• Akosombo National Service Personnel fete Children.

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