The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched the maiden edition of its Professional Add-On Seminar Series, reaching more than 9,000 students in a major step to strengthen graduate employability and industry readiness.
The two-day virtual seminar, held on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2026, attracted a total of 9,233 student participants, with 6,164 joining on the first day and 3,069 on the second. The high turnout makes it one of the Institute’s most patronised student development initiatives in recent years.
Reintroduced under IDL’s renewed strategic vision, the Professional Add-On Seminar Series is designed to expose students to real-world industry practice, connect them with professionals and complement classroom learning with practical career insights.
Director of IDL, Professor Anthony Andrews, said the initiative was intended to ensure that students graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with the professional grounding required in today’s job market.
“These Professional Add-Ons are special seminars organised for our students to expose them to real industry practice. We invite experienced industry players to share perspectives that complement what is taught in the classroom. This ensures that our students are not only academically prepared but professionally grounded for the world of work,” he said.
The maiden edition brought together some of Ghana’s respected professionals and institutional leaders to engage students across various programme areas. Speakers included Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Board Chairman of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Mr. Augustine Addo, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, Mr. David Adade Boateng of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr. Duke Agyeman Fredua, Director of Procurement at KNUST, and Group Captain Nii Adjei Aryeetey of the Ghana Air Force Headquarters, among other experts.
Students participated through 12 programme-based groups, a structure that enabled more targeted discussions and relevant industry engagement.
Organisers described the sessions as highly interactive, with several groups recording strong student participation and positive feedback. Many students reportedly called for longer sessions in future editions.
Although the seminar encountered a few logistical challenges, including intermittent internet disruptions for moderators, Zoom capacity limitations, occasional power outages and time constraints, the overall success of the programme was not affected. Some groups adopted alternative arrangements, including YouTube streaming, to ensure continuity of the sessions.
Students commended the seminar for providing practical, industry-aligned knowledge, a clearer understanding of career expectations and useful guidance on professional pathways.
