On Friday March 14, 2025, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) officially welcomed its new international regular and exchange students for the 2024/2025 academic year at the annual Akwaaba Night celebration at the Great Hall.
Organized by the International Programmes Office (IPO), the event was attended by new international students, exchange students, outbound students, university management and identified groups and leadership of the International Students Association for a night of cultural exchange and friendship.
Professor Daniel Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office, highlighted Akwaaba Night as a vibrant tradition where the university extends a formal welcome to its international regular, inbound and outbound exchange students. He indicated that Akwaaba Night “is a special occasion to embrace new beginnings, forge connections, and celebrate diversity”.
Professor Duah added that the presence of international students symbolizes KNUST's dedication to fostering global collaboration and academic exchange. He reaffirmed IPO's commitment to supporting international students, ensuring the availability of the resources and guidance needed to thrive academically and socially in a home away from home.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Asamoah, expressed his gratitude to the university’s global partners and officially welcomed the first-year international students to KNUST. He urged students to be discerning in their relationships, emphasizing the value of positive friendships and leaving good impressions of themselves for their families and the University whilst seeking assistance from the weak established university units.
Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie, Deputy Director (Housing and Welfare) at DoSA, encouraged them to engage in student-led activities, such as those organized by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the various colleges, to help them integrate into the KNUST community and Ghanaian culture. He assured them of the openness of the directorate to address any challenges that might come up.
There were messages from the President of the International Students Association and the International Students Coordinator of the Graduate Students Association, alongside testimonies from representatives of first-year undergraduate and graduate students, inbound exchange students, and outbound exchange students, who shared their experiences at KNUST and in Germany.
Other highlights of the night included a vibrant showcase of Ghanaian culture, offering attendees a taste of traditional Ghanaian cuisine, accompanied by music from various parts of the world, cultural performances from Cameroon and La Cote D’Ivoire in a memorable night.
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