The second leg of the DUT delegation’s visit to West Africa commenced with an inspiring tour of the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Museum in Nkroful, Ghana, an important historical and cultural experience that set a reflective tone for the day.
On Monday, 24 March 2025, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) continued its impactful engagement in Ghana with a visit to Takoradi Technical University (TTU). The day began with a warm reception and courtesy meeting at the office of Prof. Maame Afua Nkrumah. This was followed by a high-level engagement with the Vice-Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, who welcomed the DUT delegation and reaffirmed the strong partnership between TTU and DUT. He emphasised the immense potential for expanding this collaboration, setting an enthusiastic tone for the day’s activities.
The formal programme unfolded at the Nicholas Aidoo-Taylor Auditorium, where guests were officially welcomed. Proceedings began with an opening prayer by Rev. Michael Obeng, followed by introductions and welcoming remarks by the Chairperson. Prof. Solomon Keelson (PhD), Dean and Director of the International Programmes & External Linkages Office (IPELO), delivered a gracious address highlighting the shared vision and aspirations of both institutions. The DUT delegation was then officially introduced, followed by presentations from TTU’s management team.
A key highlight of the morning was Prof. A. Nkrumah’s engaging reflection on the history and evolution of the TTU-DUT partnership, which underscored the strength, progress and future possibilities of this growing relationship.
The programme continued with a series of presentations by the DUT delegation, showcasing the university’s academic offerings and strategic focus areas. Speakers included Dr. N.H. Mthombeni, Interim Director of Research and Postgraduate Support; Dr. L. Samuels, Director of International Education and Partnerships; and Executive Deans Prof. S. Rathilal (Engineering and the Built Environment), Prof. G. Mchunu (Health Sciences) and Prof. S. Singh (Applied Sciences). Each presenter outlined opportunities for collaborative research and academic development, while also sharing current research projects and areas of interest.
Prof. A.T. Agbenyegah provided an update on ongoing projects, which was followed by a thought-provoking public lecture delivered by Prof. F. Netswera, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT. The lecture reflected the depth of expertise and the shared commitment to advancing higher education across both institutions.
After a midday lunch break, the programme resumed with focused group discussions. These breakaway sessions enabled participants to exchange insights on teaching, learning and research environments – and to identify potential areas of mutual interest for future collaboration.
The afternoon also featured a vibrant discussion with DUT students, many of whom are TTU staff members, creating a valuable space for dialogue around student experiences, mobility and the future of African higher education.
The day concluded with a debriefing session led by the Vice-Chancellor of TTU and his leadership team. This final engagement brought the visit to a meaningful conclusion, reinforcing a shared commitment to deepening institutional collaboration.
Overall, the DUT-TTU engagement was a remarkable day of connection, vision and shared purpose. It further solidified the foundation for ongoing academic cooperation, research partnerships and student and staff capacity building, demonstrating the power of Pan-African collaboration in shaping the future of higher education.
Pictured: The DUT-TTU delegation share a remarkable day of connection, vision and shared purpose.
Dr N.H. Mthombeni
