Prof Elsie Effah Kaufmann becomes first Ghanaian inducted as International Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, celebrated biomedical engineer and long-serving quiz mistress of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has reached another historic milestone by becoming the first Ghanaian to be inducted as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).

The recognition, announced by the Academy, places her among a select group of world-class engineering leaders whose work is shaping global innovation and tackling some of humanity’s most urgent challenges. Her induction marks a significant moment not only for her career but also for Ghana’s engineering community, which continues to gain visibility on the international stage.

Professor Kaufmann, who is the Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, has long been at the forefront of engineering education and STEM advocacy. Through her academic leadership, she has championed reforms aimed at strengthening engineering training, expanding research capacity, and motivating young people—especially girls—to pursue careers in science and technology.

Her work in biomedical engineering has influenced research and policy both within Ghana and across Africa. She has played a central role in developing programmes that bridge theory and practice, ensuring that engineering graduates are equipped with the skills needed to address real-world challenges. Beyond academia, her iconic role as quiz mistress of the NSMQ has made her a national symbol of intellectual excellence and mentorship.

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s International Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the field, awarded to engineers who have demonstrated exceptional technical achievement and global impact. By receiving this award, Professor Kaufmann joins a prestigious network of innovators and scientific leaders whose work is shaping the future of technology, sustainability, and development.

Her induction is expected to inspire a new generation of young Ghanaian engineers, particularly women in STEM who continue to look up to her as a trailblazer. Many in the academic and scientific community have described the honour as a well-deserved validation of her decades-long commitment to innovation, leadership, and public engagement.

This landmark achievement further cements Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann’s legacy as one of Ghana’s most influential engineering minds and a powerful ambassador for African excellence on the global stage.