From April 10 to April 15, 2024, a delegation from Fourah Bay College (FBC) visited the Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK) at KNUST. The purpose of the visit was to discuss ongoing collaborations and explore new partnership opportunities. The team included the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Kelleh, the Dean, Dr. Michael Conteh, and the HOD, Dr. Abdul Koroma.

The visit kicked off with a comprehensive review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) activities under the Integrated Rural-Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) and discussions on PhD and MSc student training. The delegation also planned for an upcoming workshop in Freetown and participated in presentations highlighting the achievements of KNUST, the College of Engineering (CoE), and TRECK.

The delegation paid a courtesy call on Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, and other key faculty members to discuss the progress and future directions of the collaboration.

Highlights of the visit included:

• Campus and City Tours: The FBC team toured the KNUST campus and the city of Kumasi, gaining insights into the infrastructure and cultural heritage.
• Presentations and Discussions: The team engaged in presentations on topics such as the high-capacity bus services in Freetown, opportunities for monitoring and evaluation, and a research progress presentation by Mr. Simeon Turray, an FBC PhD student, on his experiences at IITM Chennai.
• Collaborative Meetings: Discussions were held to strengthen ongoing collaborations between FBC’s Civil Engineering Department and TRECK and to explore new research and project opportunities.

As part of the broader collaboration, TRECK also hosted a two-week Laboratory Technician Training for technicians from Fourah Bay College from June 24 to July 5, 2024. A total of five trainees were trained in the following areas:

• Asphalt, Concrete, and Tensile Strength of Steel (Materials),
• Soil (Materials),
• Fluid Mechanics, and
• Water Analysis Laboratory.

Both the visit and the training underscored the strong partnership between TRECK and FBC. The FBC team expressed appreciation for the hospitality, insights, and collaborative spirit of TRECK and KNUST.

The outcomes of these engagements will play a crucial role in strengthening academic and professional capacities, fostering research excellence, and enhancing transport systems across the region.