A delegation from Stanbic Bank Ghana, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kwamina Asomaning, has donated 50 brand-new HP laptops to support the Vice-Chancellor’s “Support One Needy Student with One Laptop” (SONSOL) initiative.
The latest donation brings the total number of laptops contributed under the initiative to 500 since its inception. The donation forms part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and education, particularly for needy students, while also reaffirming its support for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Speaking at the presentation, Mr. Asomaning highlighted the bank’s alignment with KNUST’s vision and its broader commitment to Africa’s development.
“Africa is our home, and we are committed to its growth. The world has become increasingly digital, and there is the need for a stronger digital interface,” he said.
Mr. Asomaning revealed that the bank has, over the past five years, consistently supported KNUST and remains proud to be part of the SONSOL initiative.
“We believe in the ideals of this project. We are here today to honour our promise and continue supporting its growth,” he said.
He outlined additional interventions by the bank, including internship opportunities for top-performing Computer Science students and its continuous support for the WiSTEM Girls Camp, which benefits over 300 female Senior High School students annually.
He noted that Stanbic Bank’s Obaasima initiative is designed to support women at every stage of their journey, particularly in bridging the gender gap in STEM fields.
“Women are underrepresented in STEM, and we are here to support and empower them to take up opportunities in this space,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, expressed gratitude to Stanbic Bank for its sustained support.
She recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the university’s transition to e-learning, exposing gaps in access to digital resources among students.
“We noticed that some students needed support to fully participate in online learning, and that informed our call to stakeholders. Stanbic Bank responded, and over the past five years, you have never turned your back on us,” she said.
Prof. Dickson commended the bank for keeping its promise and consistently contributing to the success of the SONSOL initiative.
“Words fail me. You are always there to support us, and we are truly grateful for your commitment,” she said.
She praised the bank’s focus on women empowerment through the Obaasima initiative and its continued support for the WiSTEM programme.
The Vice-Chancellor urged Stanbic Bank to expand its internship opportunities to accommodate more students, enabling the university to produce industry-ready graduates.
“KNUST is training market-ready, technologically equipped personnel not just for Ghana or Africa, but for the global stage and we need academia -industry collaboration to do that.”
