The International Programmes Office of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (IPO-KNUST) has officially presented Miss. Rachael Opoku-Afriyie, a former Teaching Assistant at the Department of Forest Resources Technology of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson at the Council Chamber of the University on 8th August, 2023.
Stating the purpose of the visit, the Dean of IPO, Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, indicated that Miss. Afriyie emerged as the winner of the maiden edition for the 2023 cohort of the McCall MacBain Scholarships to study at the McGill University in Quebec, Canada. According to Professor Duah, Racheal stood out among two hundred and thirty (230) Teaching Assistants and National Service Persons from KNUST who applied for the Scholarship. He indicated that she did not only emerge as one of the thirty (30) shortlisted applicants but also advanced through the competitive selection process to become one of the ten (10) nominees from KNUST who progressed to the Africa region competition stage. He added that Rachael subsequently emerged as one of the top eight (8) from the continent and joined thirty-eight (38) others from the world for the finals in Canada. In the end, Rachael was one of the ten winners to be nominated outside Canada to pursue postgraduate studies and will be privileged to obtain leadership training and attend conferences of her choice during her studies. Rachael is due to start her postgraduate education in August 2023.
Professor Duah further revealed that ten (10) applicants, out of a total of sixty-seven (67) endorsed by KNUST, have been shortlisted for the second cohort of the 2024 prospective Boursiers of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. He disclosed that these applicants were selected based on criteria such as exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic excellence, and intellectual curiosity.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs) Rita Akosua Dickson, in her congratulatory remarks, expressed excitement about Racheal’s achievement and for making KNUST proud. She advised her to always remember to represent KNUST, Ghana, and her family well and to take her studies seriously to make a positive impact. She further encouraged the prospective scholars for the 2024 cohort to interact with Racheal, ask relevant questions, and believe in themselves that they can also achieve greatness. The Vice-Chancellor extended her blessings and well wishes to the shortlisted individuals as they move forward in their application process.
In her brief remarks, Miss Racheal Opoku-Afriyie expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the IPO, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (FRNR), and the entire Management of KNUST for the immense support given to her during the application process.
Present at the meeting were; Professor Ben Kwaku Branoh Banful, Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Professor Benjamin Betey Campion, Vice-Dean, FRNR; Dr. Nat Owusu-Prempeh, Head, Department Forest Resources Technology; Dr. Collins Ayine Nsor, Senior Lecturer, Department of Forest Resources Technology; and Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Assistant Registrar, IPO.
