KNUST deepens bond with university community

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is strengthening its bond with traditional authorities within the university community to increase students’ protection and safety.

At an annual meeting to cement an already cordial relationship between the university, chiefs, queen mothers and others stakeholders around KNUST, the two agreed on a number of issues to enhance the wellbeing of the parties including students who reside outside campus.

The universities in-out-out- residential policy implies that not all continuing students could have access to accommodation on campus compelling some to live in hostels in neighbouring communities such as Ayigya, Kotei, Ahinsan, Ayeduase, Kwamo, Bomso, Gyinyase and Boadi.

It is expected that the traditional rulers would offer the same protection they give to their subjects to the students as the university also offers a number corporate social responsibilities to the communities.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Rev. Prof Charles Ansah, said the relationship between the two was to offer a learning curve and initiate development in the communities.

He said since the relationship was symbiotic, it was important each played its role effectively for mutual benefit.

Rev. Prof. Ansah said the university was willing to help the youth within the communities to become responsible citizens in the future.

He, therefore, pleaded with the traditional rulers to encourage their youth to make education their priority and desist from social vices.

Protocol Allocation

The Pro Vice-Chancellor assured the traditional rulers that the university would sustain its academic protocol admissions to students within the communities.

Subsequently, the university has increased the protocol allocation from three to four annually to offer more opportunities to brilliant students.

The Asantehene’s Akofrehene, Oheneba Akwasi Abayie, emphasized that education was the most essential asset that a nation could bequeath its youth.

Sequel to that, he has advised chiefs to make educate of their subjects’ paramount as a key ingredient in the development of the communities.

While applauding KNUST for initiating the protocol process, he also appealed to potential beneficiaries to endevour to meet the basic requirement to merit it.

Innovations and developments

Chairman for the Committee for Cooperation and Understanding between KNUST and surrounding communities, Dr Sampson Edusah said the university has been able to provide some basic amenities to some of the societies as part of its social responsibilities.

They include electricity, tarring of roads, police post, street lights and security personal to help fight crime in the communities.

Outreach Programmes

Mr Edusah said the university in collaboration with its SRC was to organise classes to help students with challenges in some of the courses.

Aside that, the university would also run short courses to build the capacities of the traditional leaders within the communities.