The International Programmes Office (IPO) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi in collaboration with Campus France, held a College Fair dubbed “Study in France Education Fair 2024” on Thursday, 8th February 2024 at the Great Hall of the University.
Designed to enhance international exchanges and showcase higher education institutions in France, the fair provided Ghanaian students with a comprehensive overview of educational opportunities available in France. It also aimed to strengthen partnerships with Ghanaian institutions by facilitating dialogue and understanding of mutual expectations.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Provost of the College of Engineering, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, who represented the Vice-Chancellor. In his address, he offered insights into the various academic opportunities at KNUST and expressed the University's eagerness to cultivate robust partnerships.
Attended by a diverse cohort of prospective Ghanaian students, the fair featured a delegation from France consisting of twelve (12) prominent higher education institutions, including business and engineering schools. Representatives from renowned French public universities, such as Sciences Po Paris, Université Catholique de l’Ouest, Centrale Supelec, and CESI écoles d’ingénieurs, engaged with attendees through informative presentations, distributed publicity materials, and addressed inquiries about their academic programmes.
Notable figures such as Her Excellency Madame Béatrice Khalat, Deputy Director of Campus France, and His Excellency Jules-Armand ANiambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, graced the occasion.
Throughout the fair, attendees had the invaluable opportunity to interact directly with representatives from various French universities, colleges, and research institutions. Information sessions covered a wide spectrum of topics including undergraduate and graduate programmes, scholarship opportunities, admission protocols, and student support services.
In addition to the informative sessions, interactive exhibitions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities were facilitated to foster meaningful connections between students and representatives from French higher education institutions. Workshops addressing practical aspects such as visa procedures, language proficiency requisites, and cultural assimilation were also organised.
Complementing the academic focus of the fair, Alliance Française, Kumasi and France Alumni provided insights into French language learning and cultural enrichment activities, thereby offering a holistic perspective on educational prospects in France.
The fair ended with expressions of satisfaction from student participants affirming the event's success in providing a wealth of pertinent information and fostering collaborative engagement between Ghanaian and French educational institutions.