The Advancement and Alumni Relations (AARO) Board of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has been inaugurated to provide strategic direction for alumni engagement and strengthen the University’s global alumni network.
The Board is chaired by Dr. Isaac Adupong and includes Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Mathanda Ankar-Brewoo; Prof. Linda Aurelia Ofori; Prof. Edmund Ekuadzi; Prof. Isaac Ayensu; Dr. Ali Nyaaba; Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vitor; Dr. Ralph Nyadu-Addo; Dr. Eric Manu; Dr. (Mrs.) Emanuela Kwao-Boateng; and Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe.
Other members are Dr. Owusu Acheampong; Yussif Suleman; Shakir Is-Haq Waiz; Mr. Nana Kwame Apraku Mensah; Jemima Owusu-Baah; Prof. Caleb Kesse Frempong; and Ms. Anita Akua Kuma, who serves as Secretary.
Administering the oath of office, the Vice-Chancellor described the Board as an important structure that would play a key advisory role in providing direction to the global alumni leadership and shaping the future of alumni engagement at KNUST.
“You are going to be the ones to give the policy direction of alumni relations,” she told the members. “You must advise the global alumni leadership on where you want the global alumni to go, and by extension, where you want the University to go. Remember, a strong alumni will always give us a strong University.”
She urged the Board to envision the global identity the KNUST alumni network should carry, noting that leading universities around the world have benefited immensely from strong alumni-driven initiatives.
“We must ask ourselves: as a Board, what niche do we want the global alumni to be identified with? When people hear ‘KNUST Global Alumni,’ what should come to mind immediately?” she said. “When we mention certain universities and their alumni, we immediately see their impact.”
Professor Dickson further encouraged the Board to align its work with the University’s strategic vision, particularly the recently launched KNUST Strategic Plan 2035, which provides a blueprint for advancing the institution’s global standing from excellence to eminence.
She urged the Board to work closely with the leadership of the alumni association and the University to strengthen connections among alumni worldwide and mobilise support for the University’s development.
“We have no doubt that you have what it takes to help tick the boxes,” she said. “The possibilities ahead of us are endless.”
Dr. Isaac Adupong expressed appreciation to University Management for the confidence reposed in the members.
“We are aware of what alumni do for a university in terms of growth,” he said. “KNUST has produced many accomplished alumni across the world, and the opportunity to deepen our connection with them is enormous.”
Dr. Adupong said the Board would work to strengthen engagement with the University’s alumni network and leverage their collective strength to advance the institution’s development agenda.
“We must take advantage of the many alumni who have benefited from this University so we can leverage the strength that we have out there,” he said. “As a Board, we commit and pledge to live by the tenets of the oath we have taken.”
President of the KNUST Global Alumni Association, Dr. Herman Yobo Addae, expressed confidence in the Board’s ability to contribute meaningfully to alumni relations.
“I join the Chairman and the Board to thank Management for walking us through the process,” Dr. Addae said. “We are confident that this will help us move forward in strengthening the relationship between the University and its alumni.”
The Registrar, Mr. Benjamin Boampong Owusu, urged members of the Board to play their respective roles to help transform the University’s global alumni network.
By: Abigail Ofori Photos: Michael Kwawu
