The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has challenged the alumni of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to strengthen their role as strategic partners in the university’s development.
He said alumni could contribute to the university’s progress regardless of their financial circumstances, adding that their time, expertise, encouragement and other resources could make a significant difference.
“Your financial circumstances should not prevent you from contributing. You can offer your time, expertise, encouragement or resources.
You do not have to be wealthy to make a difference, nor do you have to occupy a powerful position to be useful,” the Asantehene said.
He added that such contributions should no longer depend primarily on occasional appeals or individual goodwill, but should become part of a deliberate, organised and enduring partnership between the university and its alumni.
Homecoming
The Otumfuo, who is also the Chancellor of KNUST, was speaking at the university’s 14th Global Biennial Congress and Alumni Homecoming in Kumasi last Friday.
The event was attended by the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; the Chairman of the KNUST Governing Council, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu; the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, and the Global President of the KNUST Alumni Association, Dr Herman Yobo Addae.
Also present were members of the university management, alumni, traditional leaders, representatives of corporate organisations and students.
The congress was on the theme: “KNUST’s journey to global eminence: The transformative role of alumni.”
Active participation
The Otumfuo further said that: “We must move from celebrating our association with KNUST to actively shaping its future.”
He urged the alumni to contribute to the KNUST Alumni Endowment Fund (KAEF) while calling on the university’s management to establish institutional arrangements that would make alumni participation meaningful and effective.
The Asantehene said alumni needed to know where their expertise was required, how their contributions could be channelled and what results were being achieved, adding that “goodwill must find a pathway to action, and action must produce visible impact.”
The Otumfuo also said that many leading universities around the world had been strengthened through traditions of alumni philanthropy and support from partners who recognised that investing in a university was an investment in the future.
Commitment
The Trade Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, assured the university of the government’s commitment to support the university’s development agenda.
She said the government recognised the important role of tertiary institutions in research, innovations, skills development and economic growth and would, therefore, continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education, including creating opportunities for students.
The minister, who is also an alumna of KNUST, reaffirmed the government’s determination to work with the university to promote industrial development, agribusiness and entrepreneurship while equipping graduates with skills needed to meet the changing demands of the job market.
Nine brilliant, needy students of KNUST, including five females, received educational scholarships through the support of the KNUST Alumni Endowment Fund.
