The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) now offers three diploma courses under the College of Health Sciences. The Director of IDL, Professor Andrews Anthony, announced the introduction of new programmes in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Health Information Management, and Health Communication during the 58th Congregation held at the Great Hall on Wednesday, 27th November 2024.
Professor Anthony highlighted that the IDL currently runs eight diploma programmes, ten undergraduate top-up programmes across various specialisations, and 45 one-year postgraduate programmes spanning fields from agriculture to business. He emphasised the critical role of modern technology in advancing flexible and accessible graduate-level education, which has become a cornerstone of the Centre’s success. Encouraging graduates to pursue further studies, he stated, "The demands of the 21st-century workplace continue changing, and those who continue to learn are the ones who keep pace and remain relevant. When it comes to graduate education, KNUST is the place to be—seize this opportunity."
According to the Director, the centre, in collaboration with international partners, plans to introduce cutting-edge certificate courses in transformative fields such as drone technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) training. He revealed that these programmes will be offered at subsidised rates to equip students with the critical skills needed to thrive in evolving industries.
The motivational speaker and Research Assistant at CARISCA-KNUST, Mr. William Tsiatey Afloe, addressed the graduating class, urging them to remain open to new ideas and innovations. “Never stop learning. Be curious, read widely, and stay open to new perspectives. Remember that every person and every obstacle you encounter is an opportunity to learn something new,” he said.
He encouraged the graduates to view every challenge as an invitation to innovate, showcase their unique talents, and engage in lifelong learning. Additionally, he advocated for taking risks while remaining true to the values instilled in them during their time at KNUST.
In his valedictory speech, Nathaniel Nkrumah Dadzie, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Graduate, with a Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 77.61, shared his academic achievement. He urged the graduating class to connect and collaborate with one another and seize every opportunity with the knowledge, skills, and resilience instilled in them by KNUST.
The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) graduated a total of 2,596 students, comprising 1,437 males (55.74%) and 1,149 females (44.24%). Among the graduates, 122 (4.7%) achieved First Class honours, 859 (33.09%) earned Second Class Upper, 1,237 (47.65%) obtained Second Class Lower, and 348 (13.41%) graduated with a Pass.
