The University of Ghana (UG), on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), to promote academic work and research into petroleum.
The five-year MOU would pave way for GNPC to conduct periodic review of curriculum in Petroleum Geosciences (PG) at the Geology Department of the University, at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of the University signed on behalf of the University while Mr Ato Ahwoi, Board Chairman of GNPC signed on behalf of the Corporation in Accra on Tuesday.
As part of the deal, technical personnel of GNPC would teach courses in Petroleum Geosciences and its related fields, subject to the needs of the corporation's transactions.
Prof. Tagoe said that GNPC would allow students to undertake industrial attachment in courses related to PG and collaborate in the exchange of non-confidential research information, learning materials, vital documents and equipment for research and training.
"Parties may collaborate to establish research and development programmes focused on specific areas in the upstream oil and gas industry that meet corporate goals and requirements".
Prof. Tagoe said that the UG in its quest to maintain high academic standards would continue to collaborate with people in the industrial sector to train graduates towards national development.
Mr. Ahwoi said that GNPC would collaborate with the academia to train students on onshore oil exploratory since research indicates that the nation has huge oil at the Volta basin, stretching from Accra to the Northern part of the country.
He said "There is enough proof that some Romania and Russian during Dr Kwame Nkrumah's regime found a large amount of oil at the Damango (Volta basin), which they could not explore because they were sacked after the over throw of first President of Ghana".
Mr. Ahwoi said that GNPC was serious about the project because the country's 40 percent Volta base onshore exploration would be less expensive than that of the offshore.
The Geology Department of the University recently supported by GNPC introduced a post-graduate programme in Petroleum Geosciences to respond to the demand for professional for Ghana's petroleum industry.