KNUST launches glass blowing technology

The College of Science of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched a project to promote glass blowing in schools.

The first ever technology in Ghana, using fire to soften the glass before blowing, is targeted at students at the senior high school and tertiary levels for income generation.

The science project was supported by the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF) and the World Bank at a cost of $155,000 to help the students use the technology to repair glass wares.

Professor Obiri Danso, the Provost of the College, in a phone interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the application of the glass blowing programme would boost the creative industry.

He said this would go a long way to address graduate and youth unemployment through the Youth Employment and Sustainable Skills initiative as part of measures to improve livelihood.

Prof. Danso commended Professor J.H. Ephraim, the Founder of TALIF, and the World Bank for their dedication to and funding of the project.

Prof. Danso pledged his fullest support to the project to achieve its desired impact on the students.

Prof. Godfried Darko, the Head of Faculty of Chemistry at the KNUST, said the project was to enhance the vocational training of the youth to be self-employed.

Mr Michael Kweku Commeh, a Lecturer and Programme Manager of the project, said the Glass Blowing Unit of the KNUST had equipped artists and scientists with skills to contribute to the creative industry.

“The Sustainable Glass Blowing System course involves mathematics, chemistry, physics and technical drawing and computer aided design which can be tailored for special offers and requests,” he said.

Mr Obed Tettey, a Mathematics and Statistics student of the KNUST, said his interest in the project had been boosted through practical training which is an important aspect of the technology.

Source: GNA