Fanshawe College VP visits STU to deepen electric vehicle technology partnership

Sunyani Technical University (STU) last Tuesday welcomed Dr. Jeff Wright, Vice President for Innovation, Strategy and Enrolment at Fanshawe College, Canada, as part of a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening collaboration in Electric Vehicle (EV) technology and education.

The visit forms part of an ongoing partnership between the two institutions, which have been working together over the past few years to advance EV technology training and capacity development in Ghana.

Speaking during a meeting with the management of STU, Dr. Wright said his visit was intended to explore practical ways of deepening the partnership and positioning STU as a leading institution in EV technology development in Ghana.

“We have had a wonderful partnership so far, and we share many common interests in terms of programme development and meeting labour market needs. My visit is to continue these discussions and identify the next steps we can take together to advance EV education and support the growth of the EV industry,” he said.

Dr. Wright noted that Fanshawe College maintains a strategic partnership with global automobile manufacturer Volkswagen (VW). He explained that the college plays a significant role in supporting VW’s EV ecosystem through its operations in St. Thomas, Ontario, where the company is developing one of its major EV manufacturing facilities.

According to him, Fanshawe College is keen on sharing industry best practices and expertise through partnerships with institutions such as STU to help build the skills required for the emerging clean transportation sector.

He expressed appreciation to the University for the warm reception accorded him since his arrival in Sunyani.

Welcoming the Canadian delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of STU, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions and its contribution to advancing EV technology education in Ghana.

He recalled that STU last year dispatched a team of academic staff to Fanshawe College for hands-on training in EV technology, a move aimed at supporting the implementation of EV-related programmes and research initiatives at the University.

The meeting was attended by the Registrar, Mr. Samuel Ankama Obour; the Director of Finance, Mr. Thomas Kwarfo; as well as Deans, Directors and other senior members of the University community.

As part of his visit, Dr. Wright toured STU’s EV Centre of Excellence and held discussions with the Faculty of Engineering on opportunities for co-developing academic programmes, faculty exchange initiatives, and curricula in clean technology and electric vehicle engineering.

The engagement is expected to further strengthen international cooperation between the two institutions and support Ghana’s growing interest in sustainable transportation and green technology development.