The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, is full of excitement as students from all over the globe arrive at the campus for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The 'Safe Arrivals' initiative, which has been operational for the past three years, is dedicated to facilitating a smooth transition for incoming students.
It plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety against potential threats posed by unscrupulous individuals.
The KNUST management team, led by Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor David Asamoah, warmly met and welcomed the freshmen as they officially reported to their respective halls of residence.
Other key members of management included Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Professor Marian Asantewaah Nkansah, Professor Akwasi Acheampong Aning, Mrs. Victoria DeGraft Agyei, Dr. Paul Addo and Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie.
The Director of Students’ Affairs, Professor Marian Asantewaah Nkansah, congratulated the new students on their admission and offered words of encouragement.
"We want you to excel academically, but we also hope you take the time to enjoy your journey here. Make friends, discover new opportunities, and thrive in all aspects of life. We encourage you to engage with your peers, lecturers, and staff as part of this enriching experience," she said.
Angel Amoh-Sakyi, a freshman offered Human Biology, shared his initial impressions: "When I arrived at the University, the hall registration process was seamless. After settling into my room, I laid my bed and marvelled at how conducive the environment was for learning. As I explored the campus, I admired its beautifully organised layout, it’s truly impressive."
KNUST Obuasi Campus
The Obuasi campus saw a collaborative effort from several groups, including Management, the Help Desk team, Cadets, Security Personnel, Peer Counsellors, and the Student Representative Council (SRC), all stationed at various points around the campus to guide students and their families through the arrival process.
Professor Lawrence Darkwah, Dean of the Obuasi Campus, expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements.
He particularly attributed it to KNUST Off-Campus Student Accommodation Services (KOSASS), which allowed parents to book accommodations for students in advance. This system is meant to reduce on-campus congestion and streamlined the overall arrival process.
“This year has been better than last year and that’s what we always aim for – system improvement. We can see the KNUST improvement coming through. This year has been less laborious due to the online booking of hostels. I would rate it a 70% improvement,” Professor Darkwah stated.
Dr. Eric Akowuah, Senior Tutor of the Obuasi Campus, added that the process had been flawless.
He highlighted that the first day alone saw the highest number of new student registrations on record, with 281 students completing their registration compared to 176 students on the first day of the previous year. He hoped that this momentum would continue in the coming days.
“This year has been relatively good, and we are looking forward to making it better. We hope more students will register in the first three days of arrival,” the Senior Tutor shared.
New students also shared their positive experiences of the arrival process. Miss. Claudia Darko, an incoming Bsc. Environmental Science student, expressed her gratitude for the smooth registration process, which she found to be “less stressful” compared to her expectations.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying my student experience here,” she’s hopeful.
The university continues to invest in system improvements to ensure that the arrival process becomes even more efficient in the years to come, enhancing the overall student experience.