The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has taken a significant step towards expanding its international business engagements by entering into a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Golden Dream Ghana Ltd., a Ghanaian-based Chinese Company, and LiuGong Machinery Co Ltd., a leading Chinese multinational construction machinery manufacturing company.
The primary objective of the MoU is to collaborate on training programs focused on heavy-duty/earthmoving and construction machines. This initiative aims to provide essential human capital to support the mining, technology, and allied industries in Ghana and West Africa. The University plans to offer BSc. and Post-Graduate Certificate programs in these specialized fields.
As part of the collaboration, a two-phase trainer’s training program was initiated. The first phase involved an online training and examination organized by LiuGong Company in China for staff from the Mechanical and Electrical engineering departments of UMaT. Following the success of the online training, five selected staff members are set to undergo the second phase of training at the LiuGong factory in Liuzhou, China.
The selected lecturers, including Dr. Shiphrah Ohene Adu, Dr. Eric Ofori-Ntow Jnr, Mr. Noah Yakah, Mr. Abdulai Ayirebi Ankrah, and Mr. Michael Bremfi, are expected to gain hands-on experience with heavy-duty equipment. This practical knowledge will be crucial for imparting skills to students and contributing to the mining industry and society at large.
At the departure ceremony, the Dean of ORIC, Prof Michael Affam, emphasized the importance of this training for the lecturers, noting that it will enhance their ability to provide real hands-on training to students.
The collaboration received positive remarks from Egbert Zhu, General Manager of Golden Dream Ltd, who highlighted the mutual benefits for all parties involved.
He noted that when the selected lecturers come, “they can teach the students and allow them to get good jobs after graduation and this will make a dream come true”.
He added, “We are here to provide support to the University and students at large”
The Sales Manager of Liugong, West African Region, Mariana Liu, expressed optimism about the impact of the training on both lecturers and students. He emphasized the significance of the practical knowledge gained in China and the potential for expanding the program upon their return to Ghana.
He explained that “the lecturers are going to enjoy our courses in China we have all the machines, equipment, and the tools they can use to learn. That’s why they need to go to China to learn how to do their mechanicals and electric cars and everything. When they come back from China they can get more people to join this program and teach more people who are interested”.
Excitement about the collaboration was echoed by UMaT’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Richard Amankwaa, who expressed hope for the establishment of a LiuGong assembling plant at UMaT. He envisioned this as a strategic move that would attract participants from across West Africa, positioning UMaT as a hub for advanced machinery training and practical engineering solutions.
“Moving forward, we want to set up an artisanal park which will be a collaboration between UMaT, Liugon, the garages Association, and anybody interested in hands-on training of engineers. We will move from the classroom to the field to make ourselves better and to solve problems. That is the direction in which we want to go and we are happy for this collaboration”, explained
Source: myinfotoday.com
