KNUST holds ‘Akwaaba Night’ for international students
The management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held an interactive session dubbed ‘Akwaaba Night’ for International Students of the university.
The goal of this engagement, according to the authorities, was to provide warm Ghanaian hospitality to overseas students while also allowing management to hear about their challenges and how they could be aided to access opportunities at the University.
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The colourful event held at the Great Hall of the KNUST at the weekend, saw students sharing their experiences so far in KNUST as either international students, graduate students, outbound or inbound exchange students.
Present were students from countries including; Nigeria, Cameroun, UK, France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Benin, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Zambia, Guinea, and South Sudan.
University’s commitment
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson welcomed the students to the University and reassured them of the management’s continued support throughout their studies.
"You decided to be educated in the kingdom of the golden stool; never forget that you are not alone. KNUST will make you feel like you're at home," she said.
Prof Dickson tasked the International Programmes Office (IPO) to organise a 'Pot Lab' in which students would produce a dish from their various countries for the public to sample.
That, she said, would allow them to educate their tongues to eat a variety of worldwide dishes even when they left the shores of Ghana.
The Vice-Chancellor pledged KNUST’s continuous support to provide a conducive environment for them to study and conduct research.
International relations
Professor Daniel Duah, the Acting Dean of the International Programs Office (IPO), in his welcome address, said KNUST presently had over 700 international students representing over 15 nations.
He said the University also has 217 active Memorandums of Understanding with its partners and stated that because the IPO was concerned about the welfare of students, the office planned to establish an international centre.
“This will function as an International Students Hostel to supplement international students' housing needs”, he emphasized.
Professor Wilson Agyare, the Dean of Students (DOS), noted that his office was established to give students the necessary welfare support services during their time at KNUST, adding that his doors were always opened to provide assistance.
Commendation
The President of the International Students Association (ISA), Miss Onyinye Okoli, expressed her gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for hosting such an event to officially welcome them to KNUST.
She urged the students to take advantage of the challenges that were presented to them and also to form strong bonds with their international peers.