A KNUST delegation, led by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, participated in an Association of African Universities (AAU) workshop in Mauritius, focused on enhancing safety and security in African universities.
The workshop, themed "Revival and Refocusing of Security Departments in African Universities and Colleges in the 21st Century," gathered 44 participants from nine African countries, including seven Vice Chancellors.
Mauritius' Minister of Tertiary Education, Dr. Hon. Kaviraj Shama Sukon, stressed the need for proactive university security measures, citing emerging challenges like cyber threats and drug use.
Discussions throughout the workshop addressed key security concerns: cybercrime, gender-based violence, campus cultism, and student unrest. Experts also explored crime prevention, campus policing, security standards, and handling student protests.
The final day focused on developing safeguarding policies and included a visit to the University of Technology, Mauritius.
The KNUST delegation, comprising key officials from finance, student affairs, international programs, security, legal, academic, and IT departments, actively contributed to the discussions.
The workshop signifies a crucial effort to strengthen security frameworks in African higher education, with KNUST playing a key role in shaping future campus safety policies.
Other members of the delegation included: Dr. Charles Nsiah, Finance Officer; Prof. Marian Asantewah Nkansah, Director of Student Affairs; Prof. Daniel Y. A. Duah, Dean International Programmes Office; Lt. Col. Richard Cobba-Eshun Rtd, Head of Security; Mr. Jacob Kudjo Semahar, Deputy Security Head and Dr. Jimmy Nkrumah, Director of Works and Physical Development.
The rest are: Ms. Lucy Diawuo, Deputy Registrar Academic Affairs; Mr. Isaac Berko, Deputy Registrar, Legal; Mr. Daniel Kumi-Djan, Deputy Registrar, General Administration; Mrs. Juliana Opoku Nyarko, Estate Officer; and Mr. Abraham Brew Sam, Deputy Director, University Information Technology Services.
