The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson has interacted with alumni of KNUST in an open forum in Beckton, London. Aimed at highlighting the successes chalked by the University and addressing various issues, the meeting brought together alumni, faculty, and industry professionals in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In his welcome address, the Head of Chancery at Ghana High Commission in the UK, Mr. Peprah Ampratwum expressed delight at the well-organized event. He urged alumni of all Ghanaian Universities to support their alma mater through innovative means, emphasising that even small contributions could make significant differences. He stressed the importance of exploring diverse avenues to complement the efforts of the university leadership.
A Senior Assistant Registrar of KNUST, Mr. James Kwasi Oberko highlighted the numerous activities undertaken by the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office (AARO), to facilitate a closer relationship between the University and her alumni. They include the Tek Connect platform, Tek Connect Newsletter, Nyansapo Dialogue Series, College based Mentorship programs, Wall of Fame etc. He concluded by saying that the KNUST Day of Giving was launched and established to enable alumni and other stakeholders express their appreciation to KNUST.
The Global President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Kwaku Agbesi thanked the Vice-Chancellor for her continued support to the association and called on all to contribute financially towards the association’s initiatives such as the construction alumni hostel, alumni scholarship scheme and collegiate mentorship programmes.
Expressing her gratitude to the alumni for being global ambassadors of KNUST, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson said that she had already met and engaged some alumni and their Chapters in Ghana and the United States of America to deliberate on the development of KNUST. She encouraged alumni to actively mentor students of their alma mater with a focus to develop students' soft skills and critical thinking abilities. ‘Use your skill sets and capacities to give back physically and or virtually to your alma mater. Based on your network and expertise, look back to support your University as is expected of you to build the next generation of professionals.’ she said. In conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor cited the establishment of the KNUST Internship Placements and Career Services Center as the University’s commitment to further develop KNUST students’ capacities for the job market.
Addressing concerns about student welfare and accommodation, Professor (Mrs.) Dickson noted that the One Needy Student, One Laptop (SONSOL) project, various scholarship schemes, KNUST Food Bank amongst others had made a significant impact on students' access to essential resources.
On students’ accommodation, the Vice-Chancellor said the University had faced challenges in providing lasting solutions to the problem because of the unusual increased number of students. According to her, a newly proposed ‘60/40 Build, Operate and Own’ model, is being considered and if approved and implemented, would provide sustainable solutions to students’ housing.
New UK/Ireland Chapter Executives were sworn in to steer the affairs of the association. They are Tek. Yvonne Doku, President, Tek. Yvette Gane, Vice-President, Tek. Ing. Wiseborn Owusu Danquah, General Secretary, Tek. Miriam O’Dell, Treasurer, Tek. Dorothy Josiah Danquah, Organizing Secretary, Tek. Alfred Sam, Executive Member and Tek. Anthony Tarchie, Executive Member.
Other officers of KNUST who were present at the program were Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng, Registrar, Mr. Yaw Nimo-Baffour, Finance Officer, Prof. Daniel Duah, Dean, International Programmes Office of KNUST and Dr. Kwaku Agbesi, Global President of the KNUST Alumni Association.
Â