A delegation from the Lancaster University, UK has paid a courtesy call on CSIR Director General, Professor Victor K. Agyemang at the CSIR corporate office last week.

The purpose of the visit was to provide an opportunity for discussions on the closure of two very important projects undertaken by Lancaster University through its local partners and also to introduce a team from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) who have shown interest in working with local partners such as the CSIR in future research endeavours.

Welcoming the delegation, Professor Victor K. Agyemang, Director General, CSIR thanked Lancaster University for choosing the CSIR as a reliable partner for the implementation of the RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE projects. He stated that the work done and experiences shared are worthwhile and the outstanding commitment from all partners on the project must be applauded.

Professor Kirk Semple, Lancaster University who led the delegation from the UK also thanked the CSIR for the hard work and the gains made so far on the two projects. He explained that though both projects are ending soon, Lancaster University is keen on establishing lasting relationships and not relations that are adhoc in nature and are one-off. The University is interested in lasting relationships with partners such as the CSIR to pursue future research endeavours, he intimated.

Prof. Semple also took the opportunity to introduce the team from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to the CSIR team present. The leader of the UKCEH team added to the reason stated by Prof. Semple that the UKCEH is ready and committed to working with local partners such as the CSIR in areas of mutual interest. The team lead also congratulated Lancaster University, CSIR and partners for the tremendous contribution and the impact made through the RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE projects.

The meeting which lasted for almost 45minutes also saw the teams discuss other research prospects that could be pursued in the very near future. The Deputy Director General, CSIR, Director of Finance, CSIR Institute Directors for Water Research and Industrial Research were part of the meeting.