The funding is to help the university to develop an efficient means of solving protein malnutrition in developing countries using edible insects.

Among other intervention, the palm larvae which is locally known as “akokono,” a known delicacy in the forest zone of the country, is one of the edible insects, that KNUST and ASPIRE Group is promoting under the project.

The Clinton Foundation convenes businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, and increase opportunities for women and marginalised groups, while Grand Challenges Canada, which is an initiative funded by the government of Canada, is dedicated to supporting bold ideas with big impact on global health.

Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, Vice-Chancellor, made this known in his address at the 2016 Founders’ Day Special Congregation ceremony of the university.

He also stated that on the university’s initiative to shore up interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers for girls the 2016/2017 academic year admission cut-off points for girls opting for STEM programmes were reviewed.

As a result, he said there has been an increment in the female population in STEM programmes by nine per cent.
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The Vice-Chancellor also announced plans to admit most of the brilliant teaching and research assistants in the Colleges into postgraduate programmes, adding that the graduate assistants would be offered a reasonable monthly stipend, while senior members working with such students would be supported by the KNUST Research Fund

Meanwhile, Dr. Marian Nkansah, a chemist and a lecturer at the College of Science of KNUST has been adjudged the first ever winner of the Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Prize, an annual award that recognises exceptional women scientists from “scientifically and technologically developing countries.”

Dr. Nkansah was named the winner in Kigali, Rwanda, at the 27th General Meeting of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

The award recognises her research which sheds light on the health risks involved in the human exposure to hazardous heavy metals in routine activities of daily life.

By Times Reporter