The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has released $1million for the establishment of a Research Chair in Petroleum Commerce at the institute for Oil and Gas Studies at the University of Cape Coast.
The terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the University and the GNPC will see the Corporation commit an equivalent of $250,000 per annum over four academic years to support the Research Chair.
The Mou was signed by the Vice- Chanci of the UCC, Professor Joseph Ghartey Ampiah ,and the Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation ( GNPC), Dr. K.K. Sarpong ,in Cape Coast on Wednesday.
In an interview with your authoritative online portal, www.kyfilla.com, Dr. K.K.Sarpong said the move will strengthen the research in the Petrochemical industry and also build the capacity of students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
” We need to expand our operations by building the capacities of our institutions to produce the desired resource materials for the country.
” We need to support commerce, education in relation to the optimal exploration, delineation and development of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources. ” he explained.
Professor Ghartey also described the gesture by the GNPC, as a dream come through for the University of Cape Coast( UCC).
“We can’t hide our joy.This is the best partnership that has ever hit the University after its inception in 1952.
The GNPC has also announced that it is setting up ‘Professional Chairs ‘ in four of the country’s Public Universities: Chair of Petroleum of Geosciences at the University of Ghana( Legon), Chair of Petrochemical Engineering at the KNUST and Chair of Minning Engineering at the UMAT.
Each of these Universities is expected to receive an amount of $250,000 each for four years.These essence, according to the GNPC, is to bring the universities up to world-class standards to enable the Ghanaian universities to train its own students.
