Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held an interactive session dubbed ‘Akwaaba Night’ with International Students of KNUST on Friday, 1st April 2022 at the Great Hall.
The goal of this engagement was to provide warm Ghanaian hospitality to overseas students while also allowing management to hear about the obstacles and opportunities that such connections present.
Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, Acting Dean of International Programs Office (IPO), highlighted in his welcome address that KNUST presently has over 700 international students representing over 15 nations. KNUST currently has 217 active Memorandums of Understanding with its partners. He stated that because the IPO is concerned about the welfare of students, the office plans to establish an international centre that will function as an 'International Students Hostel' to supplement international students' housing needs. He urged students to take advantage of some of the opportunities available to them outside of the classroom.
Professor Wilson Agyei Agyare, the Dean of Students (DoS), noted that the DoS Office was established to give students the necessary welfare support services during their time at KNUST. He encouraged students to come to the Office anytime they encounter any problem concerning their welfare and other needs.
The President of the International Students Association (ISA), Miss. Onyinye Okoli, expressed her gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for organising such an event to officially welcome ISA freshmen to KNUST. In her speech, she commended KNUST for prioritising and creating an environment that fosters unity and healthy connections among its students, particularly international students. She urged the students to take advantage of the changes that were presented to them and to form strong bonds with their international and local peers.
In her speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson welcomed the students to Ghana's best university. 'You decided to be educated in the kingdom of the golden stool; never forget that you are not alone,' she remarked. KNUST will make you feel like you're at home.' She reassured them that Management would continue to support them throughout their studies. Professor Dickson tasked the IPO with the organisation of a ‘Pot Lab’ in which students and representatives from each country would produce a dish for the public to sample. This, she explained, would allow them to educate their tongues to eat a variety of worldwide dishes and promote cultures.
She further promised KNUST’s continuous support to provide a conducive environment for them to study and conduct research.
The colourful event saw students sharing their experiences so far in KNUST as either Undergraduate or Graduate international students, or Outbound or Inbound exchange students. Countries represented were Nigeria, Cameroun, UK, France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Benin, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Zambia and Guinea, and South Sudan, among others.
