The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa, ably assisted by the Provost of the College of Art and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Dr. Daniel Buor, has commissioned a KNUST Jewellery Design & Technology Centre. The Centre will serve as a training workshop for the Department of Industrial Art and to offer technical advice on jewelry design and production for stakeholders in and around the metropolis.
The Provost of College Art and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Dr. Buor, disclosed that the project was funded by the kind courtesy of Development Dimensions Limited (DDL) at a cost of GH¢256,000. He also acknowledged the Management of Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) for the financial support in respect to the acquisition of equipment and materials for the Centre at an amount of GH¢255,000. Prof. Buor expressed his utmost gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa; the Managing Directors of DDL and EDIF for their unflinching support.
In his keynote address, Prof. Adarkwa, lauded the Faculty of Art for undertaking several initiatives and projects to enhance teaching, learning and the development of Art education in the University. He urged the Faculty to maintain and foster closer relationship with industry and implement projects which would bring substantial benefits to the University and the nation at large.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude to the following organizations: Development Dimensions Limited (DDL), Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), Rand Refinery Limited of South Africa and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the kind gesture towards the funding of KNUST Jewelry Design and Technology Centre. He hoped that the Centre would be well managed to ensure sustainability.
On his part, the Dean of Faculty of Art, Prof. Daniel A. Ohene-Adu, appealed to the out-going Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adarkwa, to urge his would-be successor, Prof. William O. Ellis, to provide adequate funds for the completion of the Faculty's new building, which is currently under construction. This, he explained would encourage other firms and organizations to transact similar businesses and projects with the Faculty.
The Director of the Centre, Mr. Joseph K. Arthur, who doubles as the Director of DDL, stated that the newly commissioned Centre would facilitate seminars, research activities and improve the entrepreneurial skills of students in the jewelry industry.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Joyce R. Aryee, advised students to take advantage of the facilities to develop their creative and innovative skills. She hoped that the Faculty would organize its maiden exhibition to showcase the products of students of the Industrial Art department.
Apart from providing funding for the KNUST Jewelry Design & Technology Centre, the Acting Chief Executive of Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), Mr. Asomaning, revealed that his outfit is currently funding two separate projects at the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Crop Science, both at a total cost of GH¢417,888. This therefore brings the cumulative funding of EDIF to the University to GH¢642,888.
