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KNUST and University of Buea strengthen their academic connection through faculty and research collaborations.

As part of the collaboration, Dr. Lem Fideliah Mbafor, a senior lecturer from the University of Buea's Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Cameroon, visited Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)  to research molecular identification of parasites and vector-borne diseases—an area of significant contemporary concern.

Dr. Lem Fideliah Mbafor’s visit was primarily aimed at deepening ties between KNUST's School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Buea’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture in Cameroon. While the focus was on the veterinary school, the visit also highlighted the interconnectedness of various faculties, including the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, as evidenced by the use of facilities in clinical microbiology and molecular laboratories.

During her stay, she worked closely with Dr. Jubin Kwaku-Mensah from the Department of Pathobiology and also collaborated with Dr. Sandra from the Applied Biology department on sexing procedures. Additionally, Dr. Fideliah expanded her expertise in molecular techniques under the guidance of Dr. Michael Owusu.

Professor Benjamin O. Emikpe, the Dean of the KNUST School of Veterinary Medicine and a key figure in the collaboration emphasized that the visit was part of a broader initiative following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture at the University of Buea. Professor Emikpe stated that in November 2023, he visited Cameroon to explore potential partnerships and to assist in developing their programmes. "Their school has yet to graduate any students, while KNUST has already graduated seven to eight-year groups of veterinary students," he revealed. Hence he asserted that KNUST has much to offer, and this collaboration is a testament to our commitment to strengthening veterinary education in West and Central Africa.

Dr. Fideliah shared her experience, highlighting the comprehensive training she received in molecular diagnostic techniques of parasites. "I focused my research in the laboratories of Genomics and Infectious Diseases and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR)," she explained. "I brought various samples from Cameroon, including blood samples from cattle, fecal samples from sheep and goats, and ectoparasites. These samples were processed in the KCCR laboratories, where we conducted DNA extractions, paving the way for further molecular diagnostic work, particularly using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques."

This collaboration is expected to significantly impact the University of Buea's veterinary program. Dr. Lem Fideliah Mbafor is eager to transfer the knowledge she acquired at KNUST to her students in Cameroon, who are prospective veterinary doctors. She also gained insights into how KNUST prepares for inaugural lectures, which she plans to implement back home. Moreover, she had the opportunity to teach students at KNUST's School of Veterinary Medicine, enhancing the academic exchange between the two institutions.