For Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, a KNUST alumnus whose career has been shaped by engineering, research and academic leadership, his appointment as Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor marks another milestone in a journey dedicated to advancing knowledge and strengthening higher education.
Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has been appointed Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, effective 1 October 2026.
The appointment was made by the University Council in accordance with Statute 13 of the University, following the conclusion of Prof. David Asamoah’s tenure as Pro Vice-Chancellor on 30 September 2026. Prof. Nyarko will perform the functions of the office, alongside other responsibilities delegated by the Vice-Chancellor, until a substantive Pro Vice-Chancellor is appointed.
As a KNUST alumnus, Prof. Nyarko’s appointment reflects a professional journey that has brought together technical expertise, research leadership and service to the institution. With more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research, professional practice and academic administration, he has established himself as a leading figure in civil engineering and sustainable infrastructure development.
His areas of expertise include water, sanitation and hygiene, water systems, sanitation technologies, and sustainable and climate-resilient water and sanitation services. Through his academic and research work, he has contributed to addressing infrastructure challenges while supporting the development of knowledge and expertise in engineering.
Prof. Nyarko’s research record includes the supervision of more than 300 theses and authorship of over 100 publications, which have received more than 2,000 citations. His work has attracted support from international development and research institutions, including the European Union, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
Among his notable contributions is his leadership of the KNUST component of the USAID-funded Rural Evidence and Learning for Water (REAL-Water) project. The initiative generated evidence to support the expansion of safe and sustainable rural water services. He also served as Project Lead for the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP), a World Bank-supported African Centres of Excellence initiative focused on strengthening postgraduate engineering education and research.
In his role as Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Nyarko has contributed to the University's academic leadership and the advancement of engineering education and research. His new appointment extends his responsibilities to the wider University, placing him in a key position to support KNUST’s academic and institutional priorities.
His contributions to the engineering profession are also reflected in his fellowship of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, his service on the Board of the Engineering Council of Ghana, and his role as a Council Member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers.
For the KNUST alumni community, Prof. Nyarko’s appointment is an opportunity to celebrate one of its own as he takes on a new responsibility in the service of his alma mater. His career demonstrates the important role alumni can play in advancing their professions, contributing to research and development, and providing leadership within the institutions that helped shape their journeys.
As he assumes the role of Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, the KNUST community looks forward to his continued contribution to the University's pursuit of academic excellence, research innovation and national development.