A delegation of students and faculty members from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell (UMass Lowell), USA, has paid a working visit to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to explore potential areas of collaboration in nuclear energy, health, and water management.
The visit was facilitated by Dr. Richard Osei Agjei, Lecturer, University of Education, Winneba and was led by Professor Emeritus of Physics, Robert Giles, and the Dean of the Honors College, Jenifer Whitten Woodring, accompanied by nine students from the University of Massachusetts.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General of GAEC, Professor Samuel B. Dampare, the Director of Commercialisation and Communication, Nana Boateng, provided an overview of GAEC’s mandate and core activities, involving the peaceful application of nuclear science and related technologies in areas including health, agriculture, and energy.
“GAEC remains committed to building strong collaborations that promote knowledge-sharing and innovation in nuclear science and technology. Our research and applications directly support key sectors such as agriculture, medicine, industry, and environmental management” he stated.
Nana Boateng expressed optimism that the visit would serve as a foundation for mutually beneficial collaborations between GAEC and UMass Lowell, particularly in the areas of joint research, capacity building, and student exchange programmes.
In his remarks, Professor Robert Giles explained that his team has been visiting various parts of Africa over the years to identify opportunities for collaboration in nuclear science and engineering.
He expressed hope that the visit to GAEC would help create opportunities for students to gain valuable global research exposure.
“We are seeking opportunities to collaborate internationally in areas such as nuclear engineering and physics. We would welcome the opportunity to establish student exchange programmes between UMass Lowell and GAEC to strengthen both academic and cultural ties,” he said.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured several key facilities at GAEC, including the Personnel Dosimetry Laboratory, the Radon Laboratory, and the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) Centre.
By CPRC/CCD
