A delegation from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, has attended the Association of African Universities Capacity Building Workshop on Safety and Security in African Universities in Mauritius from March 18-20, 2025.
Under the theme: “Revival and Refocusing of Security Departments in African Universities and Colleges in the 21st Century,” Vice Chancellors of 7 universities and a total of 44 participants from universities from 9 African countries attended the workshop.
The opening ceremony was graced by Dr. Hon. Kaviraj Shama Sukon, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research of Mauritius, who highlighted that despite the low level of riots in the history of Mauritius signifying a high level of tolerance and acceptance, contemporary university education faces challenges such as cyber security and the issue of the use of drugs. “With Mauritius expected to face negative population growth, there was the need to find innovative ways of making university campuses safe”, he said.
Dr. Dinesh Kumar Hurreeram, Director General of the University of Technology welcomed all participants to Mauritius and his university. Whilst highlighting hacking and student unrest as some challenges to security, he indicated that they were open to mobility exchanges for inbound and outbound students and staff.
Other highlights of Day 1 included opening remarks by Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the AAU, discussion on topics such as: Challenges of Safety & Security on Campuses in the 21st Century; The Prevalence of Cults on University Campuses in the 21st Century; Cybercrime in African Universities; Gender-Based Violence in African Universities – Key Strategies; and The Role of Student Affairs in Marshalling
Students Towards Campus Safety.
Day two focused on topics such as: Strategies for Crime Prevention in Higher Education
Institutions – Policies, Procedures and Best Practice; and The Concept of a Campus Community Policing Forum.
These were followed by an interactive presentation and experience sharing by participants focusing on specific campus safety and security issues emanating out of each region on the African Continent; Other topics included The Professionalization of Campus Protection Services (CPS) to be Relevant and Effective in the 21st Century; Security Quality Standards that Security Needs to Adhere to in the New Era; and how to handle a strike as part of security in the 21st century,"
The workshop ended on Day 3 focusing on: Developing Safe-Guarding Policy in an African
University – Key Considerations and Implementation Strategies; and a visit to the University of Technology Mauritius.
Other members of the delegation included: Dr. Charles Nsiah, Finance Officer; Prof. Marian Asantewah Nkansah, Director of Student Affairs; Prof. Daniel Y. A. Duah, Dean International Programmes Office; Lt. Col. Richard Cobba-Eshun Rtd, Head of Security; Mr. Jacob Kudjo Semahar, Deputy Security Head; Dr. Jimmy Nkrumah, Director of Works and Physical Development; Ms. Lucy Diawuo, Deputy Registrar Academic Affairs; Mr. Isaac Berko, Deputy Registrar, Legal; Mr. Daniel Kumi-Djan, Deputy Registrar, General Administration; Mrs. Juliana Opoku Nyarko, Estate Officer; and Mr. Abraham Brew Sam, Deputy Director, University Information Technology Services.
