UG Hosts 4th African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications

A group photograph taken after the opening ceremony

The Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) has in partnership with the Institute of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the Department of Physics of the University of Ghana held a 2-weeks intensive training to mark the 4th African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications - ASESMA 2016.

The ceremony to formally open the School was held at the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Ghana, and brought together participants from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. 

Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu , Provost of CBAS

The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu in his welcome remarks, said the 2016 ASESMA which seeks to train African scientists in the use of up-to-date methods and techniques of computer modeling and simulation, has come at the right time for the College.

He pointed out that the complexity of current problems under study in Science and Engineering is such that powerful computing tools are required to assist in the study of the physical systems and the analysis of data. He noted that although the School is focused on electronic structure calculations and as such is of direct interest to scientists in Physics and Chemistry, the methods that are employed and the skills that would be gained can be extended to cover areas in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biochemistry, Engineering, and even in Finance.

He called to attention the research efforts by the Department of Physics in the area of developing cheap materials for solar energy applications, as well as the study and characterization of novel semiconductor materials. He noted with satisfaction that the School would also cover the applications of these methods to the mechanical, dynamical, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of materials, and would include a hands-on session for participants to work on real-life projects.

He further indicated that the University of Ghana Computing Systems unit (UGCS) has in collaboration with the International Center for Theoretical Physics put together a High Performance Computing cluster (HPC). He expressed confidence that the HPC cluster would serve as a seed which would germinate, and be nurtured to grow into a full, world-class HPC unit in the near future for the benefit of researchers in the school and beyond. 

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, delivering his address

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey noted that the University of Ghana is pleased to host the 4th edition of ASESMA, after previous series were hosted by South Africa and Kenya. He maintained that the gatherings of academics and researchers at conferences and schools are very much part of the landscape of any University and hence are not unusual. He added that such conferences often serve as significant milestones in the life of an institution and described the 4th edition of ASESMA as one of the Schools that has the potential to mark a milestone in the University.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey explained that in order to face the new challenges arising with growing population and increasing demand for resources, research efforts must be stepped up across the African continent to provide an adequate response and ensure better lives for citizens. He emphasised the need to pay much attention to the growth and sustenance of a body of active scientists in Africa.

He elaborated further that modeling and simulation of physical systems is now commonplace in research and is widely employed in solving problems in physics, chemistry, molecular biochemistry, medicine, engineering, climate science and meteorology. He noted that to understand the nature of disease pathogens that affect people at the molecular level, detailed and often dynamic modeling procedures are required. He stressed that one of the medium term goals of the University of Ghana is to become a research-oriented institution. A critical requirement for achieving this, he noted, is to have continuous improvement in the research capacity of academic staff and the creation of networking opportunities.

Prof. Aryeetey noted that the School’s 2-weeks intensive training which is being facilitated by leading scientists in the field, would offer participants the opportunity to network, while playing a no mean role in building the capacity of academic staff and students in the important area of research.

He underscored the determination of the University Management to establish and support the growth of a small scalable High Performance Computing Cluster at the University of Ghana. The project he noted would provide the much needed knowledge and support to not only scientists and engineers, but also to economics, social science, finance and even movie animation researchers in Legon and beyond. He expressed expectation that as more computing power comes on stream, the other Departments and Colleges would join in to make use of the HPC, and also contribute to its maintenance and growth.

He acknowledged the efforts of the teams that made the School a possibility and the support of sponsors, scientists, mentors, as well as the participants for their interest in the training programme.

There were brief remarks by Prof. Daniel Asiedu, Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Sandro Scandolo, the Director of ICTP, Her Excellency Laura Carpini, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Prof. Richard Martin, Chairperson of ASESMA, and Ghanaian Scientist, Prof. F. K. A. Alottey.

Present at the ceremony to formally open the School were scientists and participants from across the world, and researchers from the University of Ghana.

Participants and guests seated at the opening ceremony