Prof. Julius Caesar Puoza assumes office as Pro-Vice Chancellor of STU

Ing. Prof. Julius Caesar Puoza, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering-Manufacturing, has assumed office as the new Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University (STU), bringing to the position more than a decade of academic, research and university administrative experience.

Prof. Puoza takes over from Prof. Evans Zoya Kpamma, who served as Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor from January to August 31, 2026.

His assumption of office comes at a significant period in the development of STU, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year under the theme, “STU, 60 years of excellence: Advancing STEM and TVET for industry leadership and sustainable national development.”

Prof. Puoza is a seasoned academic and administrator with extensive experience in engineering education, research, academic leadership and institutional development.

He has served STU in several senior administrative positions, including Dean of Graduate Programmes, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Until his elevation to the Pro-Vice Chancellorship, he had served as Dean of Graduate Programmes since September 2023. He has also been an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department since January 2023.

Research experience
With more than 13 years of teaching and research experience, Prof. Puoza has developed a strong academic profile in mechanical engineering, with research interests spanning tribology of mechanical systems, laser surface texturing, metal machining, mathematical modelling, integrated design and manufacturing, engineering education and sustainable engineering.

He has 27 journal publications to his credit and has supervised more than 65 students undertaking thesis, dissertation and project work at HND, degree and postgraduate levels.

His research and academic work have also taken him to international conferences and academic forums, particularly in China, where he pursued advanced studies and participated in research programmes.

Prof. Puoza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Mathematics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

He has also undertaken specialised professional training, including the Science Advice Skills Development Programme organised by the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA)-Africa and training as a Certified Sustainable Energy Audit Professional.

He is a Professional Engineer and member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), as well as a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Sustainable Energy Audit Professionals.

Non-academic contributions
Beyond conventional academic work, Prof. Puoza has been actively involved in innovation and institutional problem-solving at STU.

He served as team leader for the design and manufacture of an electric elevator lift for existing university buildings, an innovation which contributed to STU being adjudged the winner of the Best Innovative Award at the 3rd Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities in Ghana (ARCTUG) in 2024.

He also led the fabrication of 50 Veronica bucket stands for the University during the COVID-19 pandemic and played leading roles in the development of curricula for the Bachelor of Technology programmes in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

His administrative responsibilities have included membership of several key university committees, including the Executive Committee, Appointment and Promotion Board, Development Committee, Finance Committee and Graduate School Board.

Colleagues and students have described Prof. Puoza as a people-oriented academic who places strong emphasis on teamwork, interpersonal communication, continuous learning and professional development.

Philosophy
His stated leadership philosophy centres on fostering a closer connection between staff and students while creating opportunities for personal growth, innovation and creative thinking.

With his new responsibility as Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Puoza is expected to contribute to the University's drive to strengthen academic excellence, research, innovation, postgraduate education and industry-oriented skills development.

His appointment also comes as STU seeks to deepen its role as a leading technical university in Ghana and position itself to respond more effectively to the changing demands of industry, technology and the national economy.

An engineer by profession and researcher by orientation, Prof. Puoza has expressed a commitment to serving the University, the country and the wider global community by promoting lifelong learning and leadership excellence.

His assumption of office therefore marks another chapter in the University's leadership as STU enters the next phase of its 60-year journey and seeks to build on its achievements in STEM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).