By | 11 October 2018

Assoc Prof E. K. Asiam Delivers First Exit Lecture as he makes a Final Exit from UMaT

Prof E. K. Asiam Delivering His Lecture
Prof E. K. Asiam Delivering His Lecture

Prof Elias Kwasi Asiam, an Associate Professor of Minerals Engineering has delivered the first Exit Lecture as part of a ceremony to bid him farewell as he makes his final exit from the University of Mines and Technology. Prof Asiam has served the University System for over 35 years through teaching, research and community service at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa.

Prof Asiam spoke on the topic “University: A Space without Borders?” He took the audience through the structure in University governance and career progression. He talked about the need for members of staff to take particular interest in, and study important documents that form the basis of governance of the University and indicated that, that was the only way by which they would find the University a place to be. He encouraged them to be motivated by a commitment to pursue a career in the University. He mentioned the documents as the Act establishing the University, the University Statutes, the Code of Conduct for Senior Members and the Appointments and Promotions Guidelines. Prof Asiam further indicated that a university plays a vital role in the development of all nations and its management was also very crucial.  Therefore, according to him, the staff members in the University were employed because of a special skill they possessed and that the faculty members must, in addition to their skills, develop good character and capacity to manage academic structures and activities in the University.

Prof Asiam advised young members of staff especially faculty members to offer free services sometimes to companies and organisations because, according to him, that gesture could launch one into huge prospects in their career. He said this principle had guided him during his career as a successful academic and professional. He described himself as a rural boy who worked very hard to reach this level in his career.

Born on 21st September, 1948, Prof Asiam attended the E. P. Primary School at Wusuta, the L. A. Middle School at Vakpo and the Bishop Herman College at Kpando, all in the Volta Region. He graduated with a BSc in Chemical Technology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in 1974 and continued with his PhD in Metallurgy from the same University and graduated in 1988. Prof Asiam is a member of the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists and the Ghana Investors and Intellectual Property Protection Association.

He has contributed to the promotion of knowledge with over 30 publications in internationally reputable journals, conference proceedings and several technical reports. During his career as a University Lecturer, he supervised over 27 Postgraduate students including four (4) PhD students all of whom have successfully graduated. He also supervised over 200 undergraduate project works. Apart from being an internationally acclaimed academic, Prof Asiam is also a renowned consultant to the mining and allied industries in Ghana.

The Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Prof J. S. Y. Kuma, who was the Chairman of the occasion, paid glowing tribute to Prof Asiam for demonstrating a deep and unmatched commitment for the growth and development of the University of Mines and Technology during his working life at the University. A citation in Prof Asiam’s honour was read by the Registrar.