The School of Graduate Studies of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has organized a one-day workshop for selected faculty who could serve as Chairpersons of Oral Thesis Examination to equip them with the requisite skills and knowledge, as well as to update them on new developments aimed at ensuring effective and credible oral defenses.

The Director of the School, Prof. Michael Poku-Boansi, noted that the School was deliberate in the selection of participants, with the objective of assembling a team of experienced, seasoned, and highly respected senior academics.

This selection was based on the expectation that their collective expertise, sound judgment, and professional standing would be critical to the responsibilities entrusted to them as Chairpersons of thesis defense examinations.

The key resource persons, Prof. Robert C. Abaidoo and Prof. Kyei-Baffour, both former Deans of the School of Graduate Studies, underscored the enormity of the responsibility placed on Chairpersons of Oral Defense Examinations.

They emphasized the need for Chairpersons to consistently safeguard and uphold the integrity of the oral examination process in order to protect and maintain the esteemed image of the University.

Participants also shared practical challenges, including supervision gaps, subjective judgments and assessing complex research topics. The exchanges informed measures aimed at improving consistency across programmes.

Clear guidelines, collaboration and effective communication were identified as essential to preventing bias and sustaining trust in the examination process.

By: Akosua Bandoh