Eight students from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) are currently participating in the ERASMUS+ International Credit Mobility programme (ICM) at the Slovak University of Technology at Bratislava in Slovakia.

The programme aims to facilitate mobility in higher education and provide students and staff with an enriching international academic experience.

The students, including six undergraduates and two postgraduates from the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, are scheduled to participate in the exchange from April 20 to June 20, 2024.

They are Joseph Asare, Evare Owusu Agyemang, Hertty Blankson, Blessed Aboagye, Sharon Asenso, Deborah Nketsiah, Kelvin Manu Osei, and Samuel Kwaku Badu Boahen.

The exchange programme also involves two faculty members, Dr Richard Kyere-Boateng and Dr Frederick Otu-Larbi.

According to the coordinator for the departmental exchange programmes, Dr Kyere-Boateng "The opportunity is intended to broaden their educational and research skills in a worldwide setting."

The selection process was highly competitive, with candidates requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 and undergoing a thorough evaluation of their academic records. Applicants' research ambitions and prospective contributions were also assessed through personal interviews, and active participation in relevant extracurricular activities was considered.

Dr Kyere-Boateng emphasised that participating students and faculty members are expected to greatly benefit from the international academic venture, contributing to the enhanced reputation and academic excellence of the university.

"Through this programme, students are exposed to advanced research opportunities and technologies abroad, enhancing their climate science skills by learning from international peers," he said.

The exposure is expected not only to build invaluable global networks but also to set the stage for future collaborative research.

According to Dr Kyere-Boateng, the knowledge and skills acquired abroad will enable participants to effectively tackle climate-related issues in Ghana, influencing both policy-making and increasing public awareness about climate change.

"Additionally, this programme significantly enriches the academic environment in Ghana by fostering a culture of research and innovation in climate science. This, in turn, bolsters Ghana's capacity to create sustainable strategies for addressing present and future environmental challenges," he added.