| Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi | |
|---|---|
| Motto |
Nyansapɔ Wɔsane No Badwenma The knot of wisdom is untied only by the wise |
| Established | 1952[1] |
| Type | Public |
| Chairman | Paul Victor Obeng |
| Chancellor | Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,[2] (Asantehene) |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor William Otoo Ellis[3] |
| Undergraduates | 21,285 |
| Postgraduates | 2,306 |
| Location | Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana |
| Campus | Suburban area |
| Website | www.knust.edu.gh |
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the second public university established in the country. The University has its roots in the plans of the Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I to establish a university in Kumasi as part of his drive towards modernization of his kingdom. Unfortunately this plan never came to fruition due to the clash between British colonial expansion and the desire for King Prempeh I to preserve his kingdom's independence.
However, his younger brother and successor, King Agyeman Prempeh II, upon ascending to the Golden Stool in 1935, continued with this vision. Events in the Gold Coast in the 1940s played into his hands. First there was the establishment of the University College of the Gold Coast. Second there were the 1948 riots and the consequent Watson Commission report which recommended that a University of Sciences be established in Kumasi. Thus, in 1949, the dream of the Prempeh's became a reality when building work on what was to be called the Kumasi College of Technology commenced.
The Kumasi College of Technology offered admission to its first students to the engineering faculty in 1951 (they entered in 1952) and an Act of Parliament gave the university its legal basis as the [Kumasi College of Technology] in 1952.[4] The nucleus of the college was formed from 200 teacher training students transferred from Achimota in the Greater Accra Region. The college was affiliated to the University of London. In 1961, the college was granted full university status.[5]
The main university campus, which is about seven square miles in area, is located about eight miles (13 km) to the east of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.[4]
The Kumasi College of Technology opened officially on 22 January 1952 with 200 Teacher Training students transferred from Achimota, to form the nucleus of the new College. In October, 1952, the School of Engineering and the Department of Commerce were established and the first students were admitted. A Pharmacy Department was established in January, 1953, with the transfer of the former School of Pharmacy from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, to the College. The Department ran a two-year comprehensive course in Pharmacy leading to the award of the Pharmacy Board Certificate. A Department of Agriculture was opened in the same year to provide a number of ad hoc courses of varying duration, from a few terms to three years, for the Ministry of Agriculture. A Department of General Studies was also instituted to prepare students for the Higher School Certificate Examinations in both Science and Arts subjects and to give instruction in such subjects as were requested by the other departments.
From 1952 to 1955, the School of Engineering prepared students for professional qualifications only. In 1955, the School embarked on courses leading to the University of London Bachelor of Engineering External Degree Examinations.
Once established, the College began to grow and in 1957, the School of Architecture, Town Planning and Building was inaugurated and its first students were admitted in January, 1958, for professional courses in Architecture, Town Planning and Building. As the College expanded, it was decided to make the Kumasi College of Technology a purely science and technology institution. In pursuit of this policy, the Teacher Training College, with the exception of the Art School, was transferred in January, 1958, to the Winneba Training College, and in 1959 the Commerce Department was transferred to Achimota to form the nucleus of the present School of administration of the University of Ghana, Legon.
In December, 1960, the Government of Ghana appointed a University Commission to advise it on the future development of University Education Ghana, in connection with the proposal to transform the University College of Ghana and the Kumasi College of Technology into an independent University of Ghana. Following the report of the commission which came out early 1961, Government decided to establish two independent Universities in Kumasi and Legon, Accra. The Kumasi College of Technology was thus transformed into a full-fledged University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology by an Act of Parliament on 22 August 1961. The name honors Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister and later president of Ghana.
The University name was changed to University of Science and Technology after the Revolution of 24 February 1966. The University of Science and Technology was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, 20 November 1961. However, another act of Parliament(Act 559 of 1998) changed the name back to its original version, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.[1]
Vision Statement: The vision of KNUST is to be globally recognised as the premier Centre of excellence in Africa for teaching in Science and Technology for development; producing high calibre graduates with knowledge and expertise to support the industrial and socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa.
Mission Statement: The mission of KNUST is to provide an environment for teaching, research and entrepreneurship training in Science and Technology for development of Ghana and Africa. KNUST will also provide service to the community, be open to all the people of Ghana and positioned to attract scholars, industrialists and entrepreneurs from Africa and other international communities.[6]
The principal Officers of the University as set out in the Statutes are the Chancellor, Chairman of the University Council and Vice-Chancellor. As of 2011, the position of Chancellor was held by The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Governance of the University is carried out by the University Council, primarily through the Academic Board which is responsible for:
Students participate actively in the administration of the University through their representatives serving on the University Council, Academic Board, the Welfare Services Board, Faculty and Departmental Boards, Residence Committee, Library Committee and on the Hall Councils.[7]
The KNUST has, since January 2005, transformed from its previous centralized system of administration into significantly decentralized Collegiate system. Under this system, the various faculties have been condensed into six colleges. The University had previously been administered on the Faculty-based system. This naturally led to administrative difficulties as new Faculties and Institutes were created to meet the ever-growing academic pursuits of students. The resultant collection of Faculties largely hampered efficient administrative and academic operations, as duplication of efforts and long administrative processes were rampant. The need to deal with these complexities and harmonize the operation of the existing structures became apparent and unavoidable.
This was more so, with the ever-increasing numbers in student population. True to the vision to make KNUST the model for technological education in Africa and the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to academic excellence, the Collegiate System was officially adopted on November 29, 2004. On 5 April 2005, the Pioneering Provosts were inducted and invested into office at the Great Hall of the KNUST.
The Colleges are semi-autonomous, which means that they are given the power to largely run on their own without much dependence on the central administration for financial support. A College Registrar, Finance Officer and Librarian assist the Provosts. Under him are the various Faculties, Centres and Institutes, headed by Deans and Directors. As heads of the Colleges, the Provosts are to provide academic and administrative leadership for the Colleges and oversee the overall running of the Colleges.[8]
There are six halls of residence at the Kumasi Campus. Each hall is administered by a hall council consisting of senior and junior members. The executive head of the hall is the hall master who is assisted by a senior tutor. There is also a hall bursar and other supporting staff. The number of students in a room is determined by the hall authorities.[9]
About 60% of the student population is non-resident. There is a large number of private hostels around the campus and in Kumasi for students who, as a result of the limited facilities/rooms, could not be admitted as resident students.[10]
There are non-residential facilities on campus where non-resident students can rest between lectures and study before they leave for their homes and hostels.
The percentage of foreign students at KNUST could get as high as 10% and fees are charged depending on the course being offered. There is an international student association which sees to the interest of foreign students in the university such as accommodation and taking first years around campus. International students continue to enjoy the warmth of Ghana and its citizens as well as the quality of education offered at KNUST.
The collegiate system of the university was reviewed, and from the 2010/11 academic year some of the colleges operate a 2-tier system, while others maintain their 3-tier system.
Colleges under the three tier system (Provost/Dean/Head of Department):
Colleges under the two tier system (Provos/Head of Department):
In the year 2005, the KNUST adopted Distance Learning as a viable complement to the conventional face-to-face system of education. This decision was made in order to offer opportunity for people to pursue academic programmes with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), while still on full time employment.[8][13]
In October, 2007, the Academic Board changed the status of the Faculty of Distance Learning to an Institute, in order to give it more leverage and autonomy. The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) is therefore expected to increase access to quality tertiary education and training through the use of a wide range of technologies.[8]
The KNUST Library provides information in electronic and print formats to staff and students mainly to support teaching, learning and research in science and technology for national development. It is also a Depository Library for all materials published in Ghana and also for international institutions and organisations like the World Bank and other United Nations Agencies.[14]
Digital services are available through the Open Educational Resource (OER) as well as the DSpace repository.
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