The Faculty of Forest Resources Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST, has held the first conference for its stakeholders at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region. The conference aimed at providing a special platform for the various stakeholders across the country to deliberate on their achievements and dialogue on the state of Industrial Attachment and field practical training for the students of the faculty.
In a welcome address the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. William Otu Ellis, stated that KNUST has undoubtedly played a core role as far as the training and nurturing of strategic human resources for the development of the nation and the African continent is concerned, as evidenced by its core activities.
He said, in order for its students to be well informed of the current trends in industry, the University has collaborated closely with industries and stakeholders in the mounting of training programmes to help equip them with basic skills needed in the industry.
He added that, with the increase in students’ enrolment and demand on natural resources and forest managers to assert themselves in the management of the nations natural and forest resources, there was the need for stakeholders to come together and take stock of their achievements and strategise for the challenges ahead.
Concluding his statement, he thanked all the industrial collaborators for their assistance in providing practical training for the students with their facilities in land reclamation, forest and natural resources management.
The Dean of the Faculty of Forest Resources Technology, Mr. L. B. Antwi was grateful to the stakeholders for their immense support and said that reports reaching the faculty after the programme, indicate that the industrial attachment is worthwhile and must be continued. He said “this industrial attachment programme is one of the good ways to teach future leaders to follow, especially in this technological age”. He subsequently enumerated the objectives of the industrial attachment programme saying, it was established to expose the students to the actual working environment and practices of their profession, enable stakeholders make inputs into the training of their prospective employees, foster the cordial relationship the Faculty has with the stakeholders, among others.
He however said that, though the attachment programme was laudable, it has not been without challenges in the following areas: placement of students, lack of commitment on the part of institutional resource persons to whom students are attached and the cost involved. He encouraged the stakeholders to continue to offer their assistance to the Faculty and recommended that they should provide as many placements as possible and in good time.
He also recommended that, the stakeholders sign MoUs with the Faculty to serve a mutual interest and ensure continuity.
Platforms were also given to the stakeholders to make presentations. Mr. Ali Mahama, Law enforcement and Ground coverage officer from the Mole National Park, gave a brief background of the park and said that, there have been instances of students’ assistance in their duties from the administrative activities to the field. He said the students have been respectful, cooperative, committed and patient, complying with situations, among others. Other stakeholders shared similar stories and then pledged to make available their resources when the need arises.
The provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Abaidoo also added that as an institution, they owe much gratitude to the stakeholders for their support since the inception of the programme and hoped that the collaboration would go a long way in training the future leaders for the development of the nation.
Award of Certificates of Appreciation were given to all stakeholders present.
