Emmanuel Kolog Awuni is an academic, researcher, and AI practitioner with a career spanning both academia and policy practice.
Tell us about your background.
I am an academic, researcher, and AI practitioner with a career spanning both academia and policy practice. I earned my PhD in 2017 from the University of Eastern Finland, where I also undertook postdoctoral research supported by the Joensuu Foundation. I also hold an MBA in International Business, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology.
In 2018, I joined the University of Ghana Business School as a lecturer, where I have since supervised over fifty master’s students and 11 PhD candidates, contributing significantly to research and teaching in computer science and information systems. I further expanded my research experience as a Queen Elizabeth II Scholar with McGill University in Canada, where I completed a three-year early career research program.
Alongside academia, I have consulted for organizations such as the World Bank, Bank of Ghana, Ghana Revenue Authority, University College Cork (Ireland), and Eduix (Finland). I have authored more than sixty publications in AI, computer science, and information systems, and have served as an adjunct faculty member in universities across Malawi, Finland, and Namibia. Throughout my career, I have successfully secured several research grants, including an Erasmus+ grant. I am a co-founder of FastROI digital solutions in Ghana, a spin-off company while teaching at the university of Ghana.
Which degree did you complete at UEF?
I completed both MSc and PhD at UEF School of Computing in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
Which subjects did you study?
Computer Science
Which department, school or institute did you study in?
School of Computing
What made you apply for admission to our university, in the field of your choice?
I had always wanted to study in Finland because of Linus Torvalds’ invention of the Linux operating system. This motivation pushed me to register through Finland’s central admission system. Shortly after, I received an email notifying me about UEF’s call for applications to the IMPIT program. I quickly reviewed the university website and concluded that this was the right school for me. I applied and was fortunate to receive a scholarship for the master’s program.
Is there a single best moment you remember from your time at UEF?
Yes, for having been supervised by Professor Erkki Sutinen and eventually securing an excellent grade of 5/5 in master thesis under his belt.
How has your career progressed since graduation?
Since graduating with my PhD in 2017, my career has advanced rapidly through a blend of academic, research, and professional roles. I began as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland on a Joensuu Foundation grant and later secured the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship with McGill University in Canada, where I pursued a three-year early career research program.
In 2018, I joined the University of Ghana Business School as a lecturer, where I have since supervised over 50 master’s students and 11 PhD candidates, while also consulting for leading organizations such as the World Bank, Bank of Ghana, Ghana Revenue Authority, University College Cork (Ireland), and Eduix (Finland).
Although I joined the University of Ghana in late 2018, I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2021 and Associate Professor in 2023, becoming one of the fastest faculty members to achieve this distinction at the university. Over this period, I have published more than sixty papers and served as an adjunct faculty member in various universities.
Currently, I am on a leave of absence from the University of Ghana and serving at the Central Bank of Ghana, where I am working on the development of AI applications to enhance financial stability, among other initiatives.
How have you taken advantage of what you learned at the university in your professional life?
My university training provided me with the academic foundation, research skills, and global exposure that have shaped my career trajectory. Shortly after completing my PhD, I continued with postdoctoral research through a Joensuu Foundation grant and later secured the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship with McGill University in Canada. These opportunities allowed me to refine my expertise in computing and artificial intelligence, which I have applied in teaching, research, and consulting roles. I have lectured at the University of Ghana, supervised over fifty master’s and 11 PhD students, and consulted for international organizations such as the World Bank, the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the University of Cork in Ireland, and Eduix in Finland.
Currently, as an AI expert at the Bank of Ghana, I continue to apply my academic learning to practical challenges, bridging theory and practice to create meaningful impact in policy and financial.
What is the best thing about your professional life right now?
The best thing about my professional life right now is the unique opportunity to combine academic research with real-world impact.
What is your motto in the world of work?
My motto is “Use knowledge to create impact and empower others.” I believe that the value of education and research is not only in advancing personal achievement but also in shaping solutions, building institutions, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Anything else you would like to add?
I have a docentship application pending at the School of Computing and remain hopeful of continuing to contribute to UEF, the university that gave me my academic grounding.
