An Alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Felix Fiifi Ekuful has earned international recognition after winning a prestigious ASHRAE HVAC&R Student Paper Competition, highlighting KNUST’s continued impact on global engineering research and innovation through the achievements of its alumni on the international stage.
Felix Fiifi Ekuful, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from KNUST in 2018, was selected as the winner of the 2026 competition based on his master’s thesis titled “A Comparative Study of Occupancy-Based Dynamic Ventilation Reset Strategies for Variable-Air-Volume Systems”. This work was completed as part of the Master’s degree in Construction and Facilities Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The award-winning thesis focuses on energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) operation, addressing critical challenges in building energy performance through advanced control strategies that respond to building use and operational conditions.
As part of the recognition, Felix will represent the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) at the 2026 HVAC World Student Competition. This international event brings together student representatives selected by major HVAC professional organizations worldwide, including ASHRAE, the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (RHEVA), the China Committee of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (CCHVAC), the Society of Heating, Air Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan (SHASE), the Society of Air Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea (SAREK), and the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE).
ASHRAE is a globally respected professional organization seeking to advance HVAC&R systems design and construction. With over 50,000 members in more than 132 countries worldwide, the ASHRAE HVAC&R Student Paper Competition attracts submissions from ASHRAE student members across the globe, with papers based on an accepted BS or MS thesis. Winning the competition places Felix among a select group of emerging scholars contributing to the future of the built environment.
Felix is currently pursuing his studies a PhD in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where his research continues to focus on energy-efficient building solutions. The work aligns with the growing demand for smarter, more energy-efficient buildings.