Engr. Prof. Amevi Acakpovi is a Ghanaian citizen and a distinguished Professor in Electrical and Energy Systems Engineering. He currently serves as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University. Prof. Acakpovi is a Fellow Professional Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana, and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Electrical Engineering from the Lokossa Institute of Technology, Republic of Benin, in 2006. He obtained his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Abomey-Calavi University, Republic of Benin, in 2009, and his PhD in Energy Systems Engineering at 2017. Additionally, Prof. Acakpovi holds a Certificate in Doctoral Supervision from Stellenbosch University, South Africa (2019), and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Higher Education with Distinction from Coventry University, UK (2018).
Prof. Acakpovi has extensive experience in teaching and learning at both graduate and undergraduate levels. He has supervised over fifty MSc theses and more than five PhD thesis from various recognized universities. He has also served as an external PhD thesis reviewer and assessor at institutions such as the University of Johannesburg, KNUST, UENR in Ghana, and the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. Recently, he was honored as an international tutor for the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) for his significant contributions to co-supervising PhD students and leading them to publish in top journals.
His research expertise spans Hybrid Energy Systems, Mini and Microgrid Optimization, Smart Grid Modelling and Optimization, Solar and Wind Energy Modelling and Optimization, Artificial Intelligence in Energy Systems, and Recommender Systems. Prof. Acakpovi has authored over 120 publications in international journals, including IEEE conferences and transactions, as well as other SCI-Indexed and EI-Indexed journals. He has been a guest speaker at numerous international conferences, a reviewer for journals such as IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy and the International Journal of Renewable Energy Research (IJRER), and has co-edited several books.
Among his many accolades, Prof. Acakpovi received the Award Leadership Excellence at the Africa Regional Conference on Education and Skill Development (ARC-ESD), the Award of Excellence in Research & Development Leadership by the Solarquarter Grandmaster Award in February 2023, the Decade Researcher Award at the Applied Research Conference in Africa (ARCA) in August 2021, and the Stairs' Award of Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering in Pune, India, in December 2021. In 2018, he won the Best Paper Award at the 7th IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology and the Best Track Paper Award in Project Management at the IEOM conference in South Africa.
Prof. Acakpovi has secured numerous grants in his areas of study. He successfully led a team to establish the ATU’s Sustainable Energy Service Centre, funded by MIDA under the auspices of the Energy Commission. The Centre offers Energy Audit and Energy Performance Certification courses. He has also been awarded the Ghana Skill Development Fund grant twice and the Carnegie African Diasporan Fellowship Programmes thrice, among others.
Since assuming the mantle of Vice-Chancellor at ATU in July 2023, Prof Acakpovi's transformative leadership has reshaped the academic landscape of the University. Through strategic collaborations and visionary initiatives, he has propelled the institution to new heights. His establishment of numerous Memoranda of Understanding linking industries to various departments underscores his commitment to fostering symbiotic relationships between academia and industry.
Under his stewardship, innovative platforms like the CEO Lecture Series and Research Seminars have flourished, enriching the academic discourse and nurturing a culture of continuous learning. Prof Acakpovi's efforts have also culminated in the accreditation of a multitude of Bachelor of Technology programs and accredited Master's programs, marking a pivotal milestone in ATU's academic journey. His efforts have led to the establishment of the first-ever Master’s program in the 75-year history of Accra Technical University (ATU), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s evolution. Under his leadership, ATU was rated for the first time by Times Higher Education, achieving recognition as the 28th Best University in Sub-Saharan Africa and the 4th Best University in Ghana.
Moreover, his pursuit of global partnerships has seen the establishment of bilateral collaborations and exchange programs with esteemed universities in the US, UK, and China, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange. His proactive engagement on the international stage has brought esteemed recognition to ATU, further cementing its position as a global academic leader.
As he continues to champion the advancement of AI and cybersecurity agendas through training, partnerships, and innovative initiatives, Prof Acakpovi's impact reverberates far beyond the confines of academia. His leadership as President of the IEC National Committee of Ghana and Chairman of both AFSEC Technical Committee 77 and ARSO Technical Committee 70 exemplifies his unwavering commitment to driving progress and fostering collaboration on a global scale.
