'KNUST will admit science students'

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has denied reports that it would not admit science students during this year’s admission process.

It expressed surprise at the rumour, pointing out that it was not possible for a science and technology-based institution with less than 10 per cent of its programmes being non-science based, to refuse to admit science students.

Mr Vincent Ankomah-Lomotey, Deputy Registrar in charge University Relations, told the Daily Graphic that the university was in the process of completing the selection of applicants for this year.

Science students

He added that majority of the students who would be offered admission, as expected, were those with science background and qualified as per the university’s admission requirements.

In January, this year, three public universities, including KNUST, indicated their intention to not offer admission to applicants who would write the WASSCE this year.

According to them, they would have closed admissions by the time the results of the 2014 WASSCE results would be released.

At that time, KNUST, like other universities, explained that the university would not allow candidates writing the 2014 WASSCE to apply for admission to the university.

It said the university allowed candidates awaiting WASSCE results to apply last year because of the two cohorts of students of the SHS who had to write the examination.

With the four-year SHS system phased out, Mr Ankomah-Lomotey said the universities had to revert to the old system, where they re-opened in August or early September.

He said when two streams of applicants were allowed to apply for admissions to the universities, it “put too much pressure on the students, as they cannot have the full 16 weeks first semester course.”

Mr Ankomah-Lomotey explained that  by the end of June, this year, the university would have completed its admission processes and sent letters to qualified applicants to give them enough time to prepare.