The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in collaboration with the ETH for Development (ETH4D), has commenced the 2023 Global Development Summer School.

This year’s edition held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is under the theme “Rethinking Mobility”.

The summer school provides an opportunity for students and researchers to develop and test solutions for real-world challenges.

Drawn from different disciplines and intercultural backgrounds, participants of the Summer School include Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students from KNUST and ETH Zurich as well as recent graduates of these universities.

Participants believe the ongoing Summer School is an opportunity to network and solve mobility-related problems.

A participant, Mr. Kwame Ghansah, from The Regional Transport Research and Education Centre, Kumasi (TRECK), KNUST, regard the programme as a learning curve for him and his colleagues.

“The team comprises engineers, architects, and many more. Most of the time, we think in line with our profession, so this Summer School allows us to work with people from other professions.

"We have the opportunity to learn and absorb the contributions of other professions. Occasionally, we discover aspects we might have overlooked but are fundamental to another field, which leads to a transformation in our professional identity," he said.

Another participant, Ms. Mihaela Demireva, from ETH Zurich in Switzerland, also thinks the programme will widen her perspective on mobility management around the globe.

“I participated in this programme because I want to have an impact and learn how to solve problems relating to mobility around the globe,” she emphasised.

Some of the thematic areas to be looked at include a series of lectures that will establish the theoretical framework of the programme and a Knowledge Fair that will put the students in touch with some of the most forward-thinking researchers and practitioners in Ghana and Switzerland for valuable inputs to challenge and further develop their ideas.

Others include Fieldwork and Site Visits to give students an opportunity to engage directly with local activists, start-ups and mobility networks and systems managers in the Kumasi metropolitan area, using the city as living laboratories for study. The Prototyping Workshops follow the design thinking process and are at the core of the programme. This will enable students to hone fundamental fabrication skills and empower them to craft their own solutions.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Professor George Yaw Obeng, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, praised the organisers for organising such a programme and encouraged participants to engage with each other and the experts/ stakeholders.

“I commend the organisers for bringing a number of brains to rethink mobility. Over the next few weeks, you will be diving deep into innovative ideas, cutting-edge technologies and transformative strategies that are shaping the future of sustainable mobility. 

“I recommend that you feel free to ask questions, engage in discussions and connect with fellow participants who share your passion for creating sustainable mobility. Together, let us create a future where mobility is not just convenient but also kind to the planet,” he said.

The Summer School lasts eighteen days and will see students working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams to develop sustainable solutions to challenges of mobility, starting from design conception to prototyping and testing. 

All through the summer school, students will have the opportunity to present their concept notes and results of their work consecutively to their peers, experts, stakeholders and guest judges.