Professor William Otoo Ellis has been inducted into office as the 9th Vice-Chancellor of KNUST in a very colourful ceremony. The investiture took place on Saturday, 2nd October, 2010 in the Great Hall of KNUST. It was well attended by members of the University community and the general public including government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, past and current Vice-Chancellors as well as Registrars of KNUST and sister institutions, the Clergy and old students association of Pope John's Secondary School. The family and church members of the new Vice-Chancellor were also well represented.
The Chancellor of KNUST, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II assisted by the KNUST Registrar, Mr. Kobby Yebo-Okrah robed the new Vice-Chancellor. Professor Ellis was then sworn in by the Chancellor and immediately thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor took the oath of office to complete the investiture. This order of procedures was interspersed with traditional and choral music as well as some other patriotic songs. To the admiration of the audience, a well-researched appellation with emphasis on the new Vice-Chancellor's outstanding personality and his destiny for success was recited to invite him for an address.
Professor William Otoo Ellis outlined his vision as "repositioning KNUST as a global institution for Science and Technology" with national development as the focal point. This, he pledged to do by building upon successes achieved so far by KNUST. In line with the stated vision, he pointed out that, the priority areas of his administration would be on the following: deepening and expansion of postgraduate and research programmes; strengthening and incorporation of information, communication and technology into the University's operations; restructuring of the KNUST's Quality Assurance and Planning Unit (QAPU) to facilitate staff self-assessment for enhanced and effective performance; continuous capacity-building programme for both faculty and staff; aggressive mobilisation of financial resources; and increased collaboration with major stakeholders.
According to the Vice-Chancellor "subject to improvements in infrastructure and increase in faculty, there would be modest annual increases in student admissions of 5% and 10% for undergraduates and postgraduates respectively with emphasis on science and technology and gender parity". He pledged to establish two Funds namely, a Postgraduate Research Fund and the KNUST Alma Mater Fund and in this regard, called for the support and collaboration of Corporate Ghana. He also announced a stronger and regular engagement with KNUST's alumni by institutionalising Annual Alumni Public Lecture, Distinguished Alumni Awards, Distinguished Young Alumni Awards and Alumni Endowed Chair. Professor Ellis further pledged his support for the ongoing KNUST Teaching Hospital project and encouraged the private sector to supplement the efforts by the GETFUND.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Chancellor, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II entreated the entire University community particularly, those who competed with Professor Ellis for the Vice-Chancellor position to unite for the progress of the KNUST. The Chancellor also admonished the new Vice-Chancellor to extend a genuine and sincere hand of friendship and say to all "The Time is now; the hour is here-together, let's go for the Gold and make our University the pride of Ghana and Africa-A UNIVERSITY OF DESTINY".
Prior to the investiture, the KNUST Council Chairman, Mr. P. V. Obeng read the profile of the Vice-Chancellor elect. This was preceded with an address by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor K. K. Adarkwa on his tenure. He concluded by wishing Professor Ellis the very best as he becomes the new Vice-Chancellor of KNUST.
