The Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) proudly joined national and international stakeholders at the National Tertiary Education Conference 2024, held from 5th to 7th November 2024 at the CEDI Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon. Organised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) under the theme “Transforming Tertiary Education in Ghana: Dialogue, Policy, and Practices,” the conference provided a vital platform for shaping the future of higher education in Ghana and beyond.
RCEES-UENR’s participation underscored its commitment to advancing knowledge, policy, and capacity development in energy and environmental sustainability — areas essential to Ghana’s sustainable development agenda. Representing UENR’s flagship efforts in clean energy, climate resilience, and the water-energy-food nexus, the Centre actively engaged in key sessions alongside over 400 distinguished participants, including university leaders, scholars, policymakers, students, and industry representatives.
A key highlight was a presentation delivered by Rev. Prof. Ing. Eric Ofosu Antwi, Centre Director of RCEES-UENR, who spoke on the topic: “Transforming a University to be World Class through the ACE Project, the RCEES and UENR Story.” His presentation traced UENR’s journey through the Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) Project, spotlighting the pivotal role of RCEES in positioning the university as a leader in sustainable energy and environmental research in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
(Prof. Eric Ofosu Antwi, Centre Director at RCEES Presenting at the Conference)
As Ghana continues to shape a tertiary education framework responsive to global challenges, RCEES used the conference to highlight its research and capacity-building initiatives. These include its contributions to regional energy planning, integrated resource management, and support for clean energy transitions in line with national development targets and international commitments.
The Centre’s exhibition booth attracted significant attention, featuring publications, project outcomes, and collaborative initiatives under the EPIC Africa Project, which aims to strengthen African capacities in Climate, Land, Energy, and Water systems (CLEWs) modelling and analysis. Delegates expressed interest in the Centre’s interdisciplinary research approach, which bridges science, policy, and practice to address pressing socio-environmental issues.
Notably, RCEES also used the conference as a platform to deepen partnerships and exchange knowledge with other Centres of Excellence, including those celebrating milestones under the World Bank Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) Impact Project. Discussions explored potential collaborations in areas such as energy systems integration, environmental management, and climate-smart innovations — aligning with the national vision for adaptive and future-ready tertiary education.
As the conference concluded, RCEES reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with academic institutions, industry, and government agencies to foster a resilient energy and environmental future for Ghana and the sub-region. The Centre looks forward to translating the insights gained into impactful research, enhanced training programmes, and strengthened stakeholder engagement.
