UG Students Triumph at International Packaging Awards in Italy, Present Trophies to Vice-Chancellor

Three brilliant students from the University of Ghana (UG) have brought international glory to the institution after excelling at the 2025 International Student Packaging Design Competition held in Italy. The award-winning team—comprising Rudolph Zikpi and Mary Eyram Chukwu from the Department of Food Process Engineering, and Richmond Oteng Kumah from the Department of Food Science—clinched the Best in Food Category Award and a Silver Award in Food Packaging for their innovative project, EcoFlex: Innovative Sustainable Packaging.

At a brief ceremony on campus, the students presented their trophies to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who lauded their remarkable achievement.

“This is really big,” Professor Amfo remarked. “I’m excited because you have proven that University of Ghana students are capable of world-class innovation. You’ve connected the dots and shown that with the right environment and support, our students can turn knowledge into practical solutions.”

The team’s award-winning project, EcoFlex, offers a sustainable answer to one of agriculture’s toughest challenges—preserving fresh produce safely and affordably. The packaging system comprises two components: the EcoFlexCool unit, which uses evaporative cooling to keep produce fresh without electricity, and the EcoFlex Basket, a biodegradable, foldable, and stackable container featuring drainage, adjustable compartments, and product tracking capabilities.

Their journey to international recognition began with a national victory at the Royal Crown Packaging Ltd. National Student Design Challenge, where they outperformed teams from KNUST, Accra Technical University, Academic City University College, and Ashesi University. That win earned them the honour of representing Ghana on the global stage, where their design was selected among 237 entries.

The student innovators were accompanied by their mentors and faculty supporters, including Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann (Dean, School of Engineering Sciences), Prof. Esther Sakyi-Dawson (Department of Nutrition and Food Science), Prof. Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu (Head, Department of Nutrition and Food Science), and Prof. Nicole Sharon Affrifah (Former Head, Department of Food Process Engineering).

Their success not only highlights the creativity and technical excellence of UG students but also underscores the University’s growing influence in sustainable innovation on the global stage.