UMaT MOTION Project Team Organises Orientation Workshop for UMaT Scholars

The Mobility for Strengthening Innovations in Energy and Transport Through Integration of Information Technology and Social Aspects to Foster Climate Change Mitigation (MOTION) is an European Union funded project for Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, aimed at encouraging international learning mobility across the African continent by providing support for consortia of African Higher Education Institutions and scholarship opportunities for African trainees, students, and staff.

The scheme supports learning mobility opportunities for students, trainees and staff to enhance knowledge, skills and competences. It is built on the positive experience of the related previous programmes, the Intra-ACP Academic Mobility Scheme (2010-2013) and Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme I-IV (2016-2020).

MOTION is part of the Youth Mobility for Africa flagship initiative in the field of Education and Training under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, and the Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC). It is financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe)

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) won one of the Intra-Mobility grants in collaboration with Kenya, Benin and Zambia and as part of the implementation processes, organised an off-campus orientation workshop for scholars of the project studying at the University. The orientation was held at the Raybow international Hotel, Takoradi for the first cohort of the grant, who are international students from Gambia, Kenya and Rwanda, to equip them with requisite information and to expose them to the requirements of the scheme. Ghanaian scholars of the scheme are to study in Kenya, Benin and Zambia.

The Lead Partner for the MOTION project in UMaT, Dr Emmanuel Effah, who is the Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department of the University indicated that calls for application for the scholarship are launched at regular intervals for interested students who need scholarship to undertake Masters and PhD programmes in Africa, to apply.

Dr Effah stated that the Scheme in Ghana focuses on three thematic areas, which are Energy, Transport and ICT and that the research of scholars must focus on the three thematic areas.

Professor Anthony Ewusi the Acting Pro Vice Chancellor of the University was optimistic that the project will be impactful in African and urged the teaching staff of the University to take advantage of the Scheme.

Dr Korir Kiptiemoi, Lead for MOTION Project Consortium in Moi University, Kenya participated in the workshop by virtual mode. He posited that the MOTION Project will help build capacity of the scholars and also mitigate some effects of climate change.

Other officials who participated in the session were Prof Esidor Ntsoenzok, EU Technical Partner (virtual mode), Assoc Pro Peter Ekow Baffoe, Dean of Office, Research, Innovation and Consultancy, and Mr Jonathan Sakoe, the Finance Officer of the University.

A section of the scholars shared their joy for their selection onto the scheme and expressed appreciation for the opportunity. They indicated that they were interested in researching into renewable energy.

The next cohort is expected to be launched in 2027.