The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has launched the 2022 Hall Week Celebrations for the six (6) traditional halls in a colourful ceremony at the Royal Parade Ground. This year’s celebration was dubbed ’70 Years of Academic Excellence for Global Impact, The Role of the Traditional Halls.’ The celebration is set to start from 10th to 28th August, 2022.
According to the Chairman of the Committee of Hall Administrators (CoHA), Professor Alexander Kofi Anning, the joint launching of the annual weeklong celebrations by the six halls is symbolic as it marks the first of such festivities following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘This joint launching is a clear demonstration that we are ready to co-exist peacefully and also shows that a lot can be achieved when we pool our resources together,’ he explained.
Professor Anning mentioned that hall week celebrations are important as it offers a breather from the hectic academic work on campus and is considered the fun side of students’ life. It also affords great opportunities to strengthen solidarity and interactions among members of the halls and provide avenues for business as well. He added that during these celebrations, members of the various halls line up a series of unique activities or events that highlight their innovation, dexterity, and their intellectual capabilities, thus, hall week celebrations are regular features of students’ life in universities globally.
Speaking on the theme, Professor Alexander Anning noted that as the University celebrates 70 years of global impact, it is important for hall administrators, students, and the University community to reflect on the role played by the traditional halls in achieving this milestone. He said that the conducive environment and comfort, better peer-support systems, mentoring systems, and social integration offered to students by these traditional halls have over the years contributed significantly to academic excellence. He indicated that the traditional halls are currently faced with challenges that require urgent attention from the University Management. ‘Increasing cost of fuelling generators and maintenance, non-functional elevators and access control systems and inadequate CCTV cameras among others are some challenges we faced in the various halls, and we hope that Management would support the efforts of Hall Administrators to enable discipline and keep the halls in good conditions,’ he said.
Professor Anning further expressed his gratitude to the Management of the University, Senior Tutors, Hall Administrators as well as benefactors for their immense contribution and support to the sustenance of these halls and advised students to take collective responsibility for the preservation of all facilities placed at their disposal. He also seized the opportunity to appeal to the students to be of good conduct as they celebrate in their respective halls and avoid all forms of indiscipline that may tarnish the image of the University.
Launching the event, the Professorial member of Council, Professor Rexford Assasie Oppong on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor commended the organisers of this auspicious event and reiterated the essence of the hall week celebration which is for creativity and a turning point for various students to exhibit their entrepreneurial skills.
He noted that in the history of the University, being able to go through the lecture halls and the halls of residence, are two elements that certify a student as a member of the University. He further explained the importance of the halls as the home where students live their social and academic lives and if this culture is lost the University losses its best image. ‘Seventy (70) is described as cardinal in the life of a man, or an entity and it signifies the strength, capabilities and growth of an individual, thus, KNUST at 70 and being the centre of quality education, students must exemplify the excellence and greatness of stewardship which is the core value of the University,’ he stated.
Professor Assasie Oppong assured that he would bring the needs and challenges highlighted by the Professor Anning to the Vice-Chancellor and Management of the University to offer adequate solutions to them. This, he believes would enable the University to provide the requisite support for a quality and healthy environment for students.
The President of the Junior Common Room (JCR) Caucus, Mr. Kofi Oduro expressed delight and joy at the return of the hall week celebrations and commit to achieving an incident-free programme and activities ahead of this year’s event. He urged his fellow students to unearth their hidden abilities and talents as they participate in various activities to mark the celebrations.
The event attended by Executives and Fellows of the various Halls and some students leaders, saw a colourful display and skills by the KNUST cadet corps.
