On Thursday, August 1, 2024, a significant step was taken towards bridging academia and the petroleum industry as Dr. Riverson Oppong, CEO and Industry Coordinator of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), led a team to engage with key figures at KNUST.
Dr. Oppong started the day by meeting with Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, along with Dr. Elvis Twumasi and Makafui John Bedzra from KNUST’s KEEP. They discussed how to better connect academia with the downstream petroleum sector, focusing on joint research, student internships, and specialized training for AOMC members.
Later in the day, the AOMC team, including Akua Benewaa Boateng, Membership Development Officer, and Samuel Wristberg, Policy Officer, met with Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Chairman and Project Lead for the KNUST Engineering Education Project and Innovation Centre (KEEP & IC).
The discussions focused on exploring joint research initiatives and development projects aimed at driving innovation within the petroleum industry. Another key area of interest was enhancing AOMC member expertise through specialized training programs in petroleum engineering, fuel technology, and related fields.
Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on creating internship and practical training opportunities for KNUST students. Collaborative research was discussed to tackle pressing industry challenges, such as managing water in underground tanks, improving quality control, reducing environmental impacts, and more.
Lastly, there will be offerings of short courses and specialized training for staff at OMCs and LPGMCs. This includes advanced training in areas such as tank fabrication, ATG systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and solar system installations, helping to build skills that meet current industry demands.
The AOMC team also toured KEEP’s smart labs, showcasing their cutting-edge work in AI, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Petroleum research.
Both institutions are enthusiastic about future collaborations and exploring funding opportunities to address the pressing challenges of the petroleum downstream sector.
Dr. Oppong expressed his eagerness to advance the capacity of OMCs/LPGMCs through these innovative partnerships, while Prof. Kponyo welcomed the opportunity for ongoing, impactful engagement.
