The University of Cape Coast and Centre of Awareness Research & Manufacturing Company Limited (COA), producers of COA mixture, formerly known as COA-FS are exploring wide-ranging areas of collaboration between the two institutions.

This came to light when the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, led a five-member delegation to pay a working visit to COA at Wusorkrom, Abura Asebu Kwamankese District in the Central Region.

Academia-industry relationship

In her remark, Prof. Boohene explained that UCC was committed to promoting academia-industry relationship to facilitate exchange of best practices.

She stated that the University’s mandate of teaching, research and outreach could only be effective if there existed a strong collaboration with industry.

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Prof. Boohene noted that through the College of Health and Allied Sciences, the University would engage COA to carry out innovative research and also expose the students to the preparation of herbal medicine.

“We believe that a collaboration with COA and UCC will go a long way to contribute to the development of Ghana and by extension Africa and the world at large” he stressed.

Touching on the University’s entrepreneurial agenda, the Pro Vice-Chancellor indicated that UCC had established Design, Thinking and Innovation Hub (D-HUB) to equip students with entrepreneurial mindset and reduce graduate unemployment in the country.

“This means that UCC’s collaboration with COA Research & Manufacturing Company Limited will go a long way to churn out students who will   become agents of change in our society,” she explained.

Ground-breaking research

On his part, the Founder of COA, Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, welcomed the team from UCC and described the visit as very significant.

He commended the University for taking the bold step to reach out to his company for collaboration. He noted that COA had established research collaborations with a number of academic institutions outside Ghana.

Prof. Duncan was hopeful that the collaboration with UCC would culminate into ground-breaking research for the production of natural herbal products to treat chronic diseases.

“Our COA Mixture is now globally recognised for treatment of several ailments and I know our collaboration with UCC will help us to do more research to produce more natural herbal products to save humanity,” he averred.

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Prof. Duncan speaking at the meeting

The founder of COA further indicated his readiness to engage other Faculties/Schools/Departments of UCC to work towards promoting peace and development.

“Through my Non-Governmental Organisation- Centre of Awareness Global Peace Mission, we can work together to ensure the development of our country and the world by promoting peace,” he added.

In furtherance to discussions, the two parties have agreed in principle to work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding to kick start the collaboration within the shortest time.

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Prof. Ernest Abano making a point at the meeting.

The UCC team was later taken on a guided tour to the production process of COA Mixture and other products of the company.

The UCC’s team was made up of the Board Chair for D-hub and Head, Department of Agriculture Engineering, Prof. Ernest Abano, Director of D-Hub, Dr. Kerren Abaka; Senior Lecturer at College of Distance Education (CoDE) and Senior Lecturer at Department of Biochemistry, Mr. Caleb Mawuli K Agbale who also doubles as a Board Member of Research & Manufacturing Company Limited.

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Prof. Duncan presenting a box of COA mixture to the UCC delegation

Present at the meeting were top officials of COA Research & Manufacturing Company Limited.