The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with McGill University, Canada, through the KNUST–NKABOM Collaborative, which continues to create opportunities for students and graduates, particularly in addressing youth unemployment.
The Provost and Executive Vice-President of McGill University, Professor Angela Campbell, visited KNUST to reaffirm existing institutional ties and explore opportunities to expand and deepen the collaboration.
Professor Campbell described the partnership and McGill University's engagement with the KNUST–Mastercard Foundation as highly valued, noting that the two institutions had established multiple and strong connections.
She said the visit, her first to Ghana, aimed to strengthen existing relationships and identify new areas for cooperation.
“Our objective is to reaffirm the connections that already exist and explore ways to strengthen, expand and multiply them. I believe there is plenty of opportunity, and I look forward to the conversations that will help us identify what these opportunities could look like,” she said.
Professor Campbell added that the partners shared ambitious but achievable goals that would require sustained commitment and concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare, commended the collaboration for its contribution to addressing graduate unemployment and improving the prospects of students and young people.
He described the initiative as timely and transformative, noting that its impact extended beyond the University campus to benefit graduates and other young people.
“The project is timely and is transforming the lives of our students and graduates, not only those on campus but also those outside the University,” he said.
Professor Agyare commended the team led by Professor William Otoo Ellis for its dedication and effective implementation of the initiative, assuring the delegation of Management's continued support.
He further emphasised the need to sustain the initiative, noting that although it might not eliminate unemployment, the exposure and opportunities it provides could significantly improve the lives and employability of beneficiaries.
The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, expressed the University's desire for a long-term partnership and hoped the collaboration would extend to other colleges and areas of the University to broaden its impact.
“We are delighted to have you here. This project is timely, relevant, and making a meaningful impact, especially in targeting the youth with respect to employment. We look forward to a long-lasting collaboration and hope it extends to other colleges and areas as well,” he said.
Story: Eunice Asare Photos: Michael Kwawu
