By Stephen Asante
Accra, May 14, GNA – Government has appointed Professor Mark Adom-Asamoah, a distinguished Fulbright Fellow, Commonwealth and British Council Scholar, as the foundation Vice Chancellor of the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS), Bunso.
He is the immediate-past Provost of the College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineering.
In line with his appointment, the Civil Engineering Professor is expected to anchor the new university’s vision and mission of strengthening Ghana’s capacity in engineering, agriculture, research and innovation.
The US$90-million-facility, funded with support from the Korean Government, officially takes off in October 2026, according to the Ministry of Education.
Prof Adom-Asamoah brings on board enormous experience and expertise in engineering education, training, and practice, as his credentials position him within influential scientific and academic networks across the world.
According to a profile of the new Vice Chancellor copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Accra, he previously served as Acting Pro Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, Dean of Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering and Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering.
His tenure as Provost ensured the introduction of three new undergraduate programmes in Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Marine Engineering in addition to 10 postgraduate programmes.
In his over 30-year service at the University as a leading academic, he has gained considerable experience in general education, international relations and outreach services delivery.
He comes with vast knowledge in institutional management, research management and boardroom dynamics, university teaching, and collaborative research having worked on the Academic Board, University Appointments and Promotions Committee, Executive Committee, Planning and Resource Committee, Welfare Services Board, Budget Committee, University Disciplinary Committee, Residence Committee, Estate Committee, Library Committee, Faculty Boards and College Board.
Prof. Adom-Asamoah’s leadership is further underscored by his ability to secure significant funding for KNUST’s College of Engineering.
He successfully organised the College to secure US$17.4 million for two World Bank Africa Centres of Excellence and other projects, spearheading infrastructure development, student scholarships, and academic programme expansions (undergraduate and postgraduate).
Additionally, he led the process of elevating the KNUST Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) to be a UNESCO Category Two Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
On the international stage, the Vice Chancellor has undertaken academic and research engagements at the Arizona State University(USA) , Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Bristol(UK) , and also made presentations at several scientific conferences.
He has helped advance practical engineering solutions that connect academic research with local construction challenges, environmental sustainability and public safety.
His research has focused on the behaviour of structural materials, steel design, earthquake behaviour of structures, seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete beam-column joints, and seismic hazard characterisation.
This has contributed to the understanding of how buildings and structural systems perform under stress, especially in environments where cost, local materials and safety are major concerns.
His expertise in building industry-academia collaborations resulted in the creation of the College of Engineering Endowment Fund, the establishment of four professorial research chairs, and the formation of key partnerships with major organisations such as VRA, Ghana Gas, GRIDCO, ECG, Tullow Oil, and GNPC, highlighting his financial acumen and leadership skills.
He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Bristol, UK, an MSC in Structural Steel Design from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine of the University of London, UK, and a First-Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering from KNUST.
He has served as the chairman of National Accreditation Board panels for accreditation of Engineering degree programmes at several Universities in Ghana, as well as being an external examiner/ moderator and assessor for several Technical Universities and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
In addition, he was the STEM Policy Advisor (2023-2024) and National Coordinator of the Reform Secretariat (2024) at the Ministry of Education.
Prof Adom-Asamoah has contributed to the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission Alumni Advisory Panel and the TUNING AFRICA II PROJECT, which focuses on harmonising course curricula across African universities.
He served as a member of the Governing Councils of the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT, Tarkwa), University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), St Louis College of Engineering, Engineering Council and the Ghana Institution of Engineering. He is also a former chairman of the Governing Council of the Koforidua Technical University.
He has published over 90 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, technical reports and manuscripts.
Reporter: Stephen Asante
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong