School of Foreign Studies and Trade, SGRC-WA, and KNUST Host a Plenary on Academic Collaboration
Venue: Intelligent Manufacturing Center, Multi-functional Classroom, HUAT
Date: April 27, 2025
Hosts: School of Foreign Studies and Trade (SFST) and Sino-Ghana Research Center for West Africa (SGRC-WA)
The School of Foreign Studies and Trade, in partnership with the Sino-Ghana Research Center for West Africa (SGRC-WA), hosted a high-level plenary session on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Multi-Language Classroom of Hubei University of Automotive Technology (HUAT). The session focused on promoting international academic excellence and strategic cooperation between African and Asian institutions, particularly the Ghana-China partnership.
The session featured two esteemed scholars from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. Dr. Lemuel Gbologah, the Director of the SGRC-WA, moderated the event.
Presentations by KNUST Scholars
The first speaker, Prof. Kabila Abass, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at KNUST, delivered a presentation titled "Department of English, KNUST: A Centre of Excellence in the Study of English and Literature." He traced the department’s evolution into a leading academic hub, offering rigorous undergraduate and postgraduate English Language and Literature programs. He emphasized its unique contributions to interdisciplinary research, communication skills training for all KNUST students, and strong academic collaborations across departments.
Prof. Esmeranda Manful, Vice Dean of the International Programs Office at KNUST, delivered the second presentation. Her talk, "KNUST-HUAT Collaboration: A Bridge to Effective Global South and East Knowledge Sharing," highlighted the university’s extensive international partnerships, strategic vision for research-led development, and the growing impact of South–Eas academic exchanges. She emphasized the role of the International Programs Office in facilitating over 385 global collaborations and exchange programs.
Certificate Presentation
Recognizing their outstanding scholarly contributions and commitment to strengthening academic ties between Ghana and China, Prof. Yang Ronguang, the Provost of the School of Foreign Studies and Trade, presented both professors with certificates of appointment as Honorary Visitation Professors at HUAT. The ceremony received warm applause and appreciation from faculty, staff, and students.
(From left to right: Prof. (Mrs.) Manful, Esmaranda, and Prof. Abass Kabila of KNUST, receiving certificates from Prof. Yang, Ronguang, Provost of the School of Foreign Studies and Trade)
Audience and Impact
The session was attended by the Provost and Deputy Provost, lecturers, and students from the School of Foreign Studies and Trade. The audience engaged enthusiastically with the presentations, reflecting HUAT’s growing interest in cross-continental academic collaboration and global research networks.
(L-R Prof. Cia, Prof. Quanwei – Vice Provost - SFST, Prof. Yang - Provost - SFST, Prof. (Mrs.) Manful, Esmaranda - Vice Dean – IPO - KNUST, Prof. Abass, Kabila - Dean - FSS - KNUST, Prof. Ming, Dr. Gbologah, Lemuel - Director – SGRC - WA, and Dr. Megaptche - Lecturer - SFST)
The audience at the plenary session
Strengthening South–East Knowledge Bridges
This plenary marks a continued effort to build meaningful, reciprocal academic relationships between Ghana and China, driven by shared educational, research, and development goals. The event also reinforced HUAT’s and SGRC-WA’s commitment to providing platforms for impactful international dialogue.
