The Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), Kumasi, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said he expects the first phase of the University Teaching Hospital project to be commissioned by the close of the year, following Parliament’s approval of the budgetary allocation for its completion.

“I will be waiting for the President to commission the first phase of the project by the close of the year,” Otumfuo said at the climax of the 59th Special Congregation of KNUST.

He thanked the government for approving the funding, describing the project as a major national investment in education, healthcare delivery and development.

According to him, the teaching hospital will serve not only as a centre for advanced medical training and research, but also as an important healthcare facility for surrounding communities and the country at large. He said the project would significantly strengthen the University’s capacity to train health professionals while expanding access to quality healthcare services.

Beyond the hospital project, the Chancellor urged the University Council to strengthen KNUST’s governance structure and position the institution to respond more effectively to the evolving demands of higher education in the twenty-first century.

He noted that the University Act of 1961, Act 80, had guided the governance and administration of KNUST for nearly 65 years, but said a new legal framework had now been promulgated to update the governance and administration of the University.

Otumfuo said a committee was undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing statutes to align them fully with the new legislative framework and charged the Council to ensure the review was completed quickly.

“I would like to charge the Council to ensure a speedy completion of the review and to be ready for use as quickly as possible,” he said.

He also addressed the University’s 10-year strategic plan, PLAN2K35, which takes effect from 2026 to 2035, and said it would guide KNUST’s ambition to remain among the leading centres of excellence in teaching, research, innovation and community engagement.

“The PLAN2K35 will prioritise the strengthening of academic programmes, increased investment in research and technology, the expansion of critical infrastructure and the cultivation of strategic partnerships both locally and internationally,” he said.

He said colleges, institutes, research centres and administrative units had taken direction from the corporate strategic plan to develop their own plans in alignment with the broader University agenda, to ensure coherence, coordination and shared purpose.

Through that collective effort, he said, each unit of the University would contribute meaningfully to the common institutional goal of advancing KNUST from excellence to eminence.

“I have absolute confidence in the capacity, wisdom and leadership of the Management of KNUST to lead us on this journey,” he said.

Otumfuo also renewed calls for financial clearance to enable the University to recruit staff, saying growing student numbers had increased demand for lecturers, researchers and administrative personnel.

“Our student numbers continue to grow, and with this expansion comes an increasing demand for qualified lecturers, researchers and administrative staff,” he said.

“Granting financial clearance will enable the University to strengthen its human resource capacity,” he added.

Addressing the graduates, the Chancellor urged them to enter the world of work with not only knowledge and expertise, but also resilience, integrity and a commitment to serve humanity.

“As you move into the world of work, let your ideas and integrity guide your actions and let compassion shape your leadership,” he said.