The
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has announced the
appointment of Professor Jerry John Kponyo as the Acting Director of the Office
of Grants and Research (OGR). The appointment, made official by the University
Relations Office, marks another milestone in Prof. Kponyo’s distinguished
academic and research career.
Prof.
Kponyo, an Associate Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, brings
extensive leadership experience to his new role, having previously served as
Dean of the Quality Assurance and Planning Office, Dean of the Faculty of
Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Head of the Electrical Engineering
Department. His academic and professional contributions have significantly
shaped KNUST’s reputation as a leading institution in science, technology, and
innovation across Africa.
Beyond
his administrative expertise, Prof. Kponyo has made remarkable contributions to
research in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and
intelligent systems. He currently leads several high-impact projects, including
the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Project, supported by the French
Embassy in Ghana, and the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP), a $5.7
million Africa Centre of Excellence Impact initiative focusing on digital
development and energy.
Prof.
Kponyo is also the Co-Founder of the Responsible AI Network (RAIN-Africa), a
collaboration between KNUST and the Technical University of Munich aimed at
promoting ethical and inclusive AI development in Africa. He serves as
Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial
Intelligence Lab, jointly funded by the International Development Research
Centre (IDRC), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), GIZ,
and the French Embassy.
A
recognised thought leader in AI governance, Prof. Kponyo has been instrumental
in the formulation of Ghana’s National AI Strategy and was recently appointed
to the International Telecommunication Union’s Academic Advisory Board on
Emerging Technologies. With over 80 publications to his credit, his work
continues to influence global discussions on responsible and sustainable AI.
In
his new capacity as Director of OGR, Prof. Kponyo is expected to strengthen
KNUST’s research ecosystem by coordinating multidisciplinary grant initiatives,
enhancing capacity building, and deepening international partnerships that
align with Ghana’s and Africa’s sustainable development priorities.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
