Background and description:

Ghana, an economically emerging African country, faces the challenges of rapid population growth and the associated increased pressure on water, energy, and food resources. The future well-being of the population hinges on well-trained university graduates who can drive sustainable development, adopt green solutions, and facilitate digital transformation. The low number of qualified faculty members in Ghana poses a challenge to the expanding education system. Increased student enrollments, inadequate infrastructure, and limited research opportunities hinder academic progress. Furthermore, cultural and biological factors contribute to low female enrollment rates in higher education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

ImPreSSion is an ERASMUS + Project that aims to address critical issues in education related to the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, particularly in the agricultural, water, and energy sectors. The project involves collaboration between three Ghanaian universities, namely University of Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Energy and Natural Resources and the University of Ghana, and EU partner Universities, namely RWTH Aachen University and POLIMI, in implementing eight work packages over three years. Activities include comprehensive training programs, curriculum enhancements, and the integration of digital tools into academic practices.

Project objectives:

• Enhancing three key academic programs – BSc. in Water Resources Development, MSc. in Sustainable Energy Engineering Management, and MPhil Crop Science (Plant Breeding Specialization) – at three Ghanaian universities.
• Training faculty academic staff in green technologies, sustainability, pedagogy, online teaching, and research project management.
• Fostering digital transformation through introducing of e-tools for teaching, student supervision, mentorship, and research project management, fostering a blend of physical and online education.
• Addressing gender disparities by establishing a Gender and Diversity contact point at each of the 3 Ghanaian universities.
• Overcoming infrastructure limitations through the use of virtual reality visits to labs and field trips, ensuring an enriched learning experience for students.

As main outputs, the project aims to deliver three modern study programs and capacitate at least 80 academic staff members proficient in the new content and digitalization methods. This project aligns with the Ghanaian government’s strategies and EU priorities, aiming to contribute significantly to sustainable development, economic globalization, and the reduction of social, economic, and environmental inequalities in Ghana. Through strategic interventions, the project strives to create a lasting impact on the education system and workforce, fostering a resilient response to global and local challenges.

Collaborative partners:

• RWTH Aachen University

• Politecnico di Milano Department of Energy

• University of Environment and Sustainable Development

• University of Energy and Natural Resources

• University of Ghana

Administrative details:
Project duration: 2023-2025
Funded by: Europäische Agentur für Bildung und Kultur (EACEA)

Contact:
Ing. Rose Nangah Mankaa, Head Engineer of Institute
Mail: rose.mankaa@inab.rwth-aachen.de
Phone: +49 241 80 22763

David Hysi, M.Sc.
Mail: david.hysi@inab.rwth-aachen.de