EACEA Undertakes Monitoring Visit to TCC-CIMET on BUCABUMA Project

The Technology Consultancy Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has received a monitoring visit from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) to assess the implementation and progress of the BUCABUMA Project, which is being implemented under the Centre.

The visit was undertaken by Ms. Elif Memis Marsman, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at EACEA, under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme. It formed part of the Agency's monitoring activities to review project implementation, assess achievements and track progress towards its intended objectives.

Discussions during the engagement focused on the project's activities, implementation processes, achievements and areas requiring further attention. The engagement also provided an opportunity for the EACEA representative to interact with the project team and exchange insights on the progress of implementation.

The Project Coordinator, Prof. Alexander B. Marful, highlighted the Centre's approach to connecting its various projects to promote continued learning, knowledge sharing and the sustainability of project outcomes.

“Beyond the activities of the individual projects, we are looking at how we can create linkages among BUCABUMA (Building Capacity in Circular Natural Building Materials), RENABUMA (Reinterpreting Natural Building Materials) and DICCRA+ (Digital Pathways for Circular Construction), which all relate to the utilization and value addition of raw materials. These connections provide opportunities to build on the knowledge, experiences and outcomes emerging from the different projects, encourage cross-project learning and strengthen the sustainability of their impact.

“We also intend to maintain engagement with participating students and build on the database of applicants through webinars and other learning activities over time. These platforms will allow us to share knowledge on relevant methods, processes and practical experiences, while extending the learning opportunities beyond the immediate project activities,” he explained.

The BUCABUMA Project, which focuses on Building Capacity in Circular Natural Building Materials, seeks to strengthen knowledge, skills and expertise in sustainable building materials.

Led by TCC-CIMET under the leadership of Prof. Francis Davis at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, and under the leadership of Prof. Christian Agyare as Vice-Chancellor, with support from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), the BUCABUMA Project explores the potential of natural materials in advancing the transition towards circular and low-carbon economies.

The project brings together a consortium of academic and research institutions across Africa and Europe, comprising KNUST (Ghana), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany). The CSIR-Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI), Ghana, serves as an Associate Partner.

Through academic collaboration, mobility and knowledge exchange, the project aims to build capacity and promote environmentally sustainable approaches within the construction sector across Africa.

The monitoring engagement also highlighted the importance of ensuring inclusive participation in the project. Ms. Marsman urged the project team to prioritise the inclusion of women and persons with special needs to ensure they have opportunities to participate in and benefit from the project's activities.

Responding to the recommendation, Project Coordinator, Dr. Esi Aduku, explained that the Centre was taking steps to encourage wider participation, particularly among women and persons with special needs.

“We already have 1,055 people from 38 countries applying this year, and we are working to increase the number. On the issue of special needs, we are speaking with the appropriate offices to ensure that students with special needs who may be interested are directed to apply for the scholarship,” she said.

The monitoring visit provided an opportunity to review implementation progress, identify areas requiring further attention and reinforce collaboration towards achieving the project's objectives. It also underscored the importance of sustained knowledge exchange and inclusive participation in strengthening institutional capacity and advancing sustainable construction practices.

The consortium is scheduled to hold a meeting with the successful applicants in December at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Also present at the meeting were Ms. Rhoda Dufie, Junior Assistant Registrar; Mr. Kenneth Donkor, TCC-CIMET staff member; Ms. Wilda Amoah, Project Staff; and Dr. Kwabena Ampong, Financial Officer on the project.

The engagement further reaffirmed the commitment of TCC-CIMET and its project partners to advancing the objectives of BUCABUMA and promoting the use of circular natural building materials towards a more sustainable built environment.