The West Africa Regional Head of Stanbic Bank, Mr. Remy Osuagwu, and a five-member delegation have paid a courtesy call on the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi at the Council Chamber.
According to Mr. Osuagwu, the visit to KNUST was part of his first official visit to Ghana to interact with partners of Stanbic Bank and receive feedback to reposition the bank to serve their clients better. He thanked the Pro Vice-Chancellor for the warm welcome and hoped for further collaboration with KNUST.
The Head of the Public Sector, Stanbic Bank, Mr. Richard Asare, noted that their outfit takes a keen interest in providing financial support to educational institutions, hence, the need for the visit by the West African Regional Head. He emphasised the Bank’s intention to strengthen its partnership with KNUST through the SONSOL Project and other areas. He promised on behalf of the Bank to increase the number of laptops that they donate towards the SONSOL Project.
In his remarks, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo commended them for their support towards the SONSOL Project as the first banking institution to respond to the initiative. He emphasised KNUST’s bid to partner with banking institutions that would invest in long-term development projects such as accommodation for students and staff of the University.
Professor Owusu-Dabo appealed to the Management of Stanbic Bank to consider investing in infrastructural development of the University’s campuses. He explained that most public universities, particularly KNUST, are currently faced with infrastructural challenges due to the overwhelming number of qualified applicants in recent times.
He further called on the Management of the Bank to support the University by providing seamless banking services for international students to alleviate the stress of financial transactions, thereby enhancing the University’s global presence. He also solicited the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory or facility to enhance teaching and learning.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Registrar, Academics Affairs, Mrs. Margaret Afi Dzisi, and the Deputy Finance Officer, Mr. George Sarfo. Mrs. Afi Dzisi and Mr. Sarfo used the opportunity to appeal to the Stanbic Bank to consider introducing a "Students Account" that would allow students to open accounts with Stanbic Bank without making a deposit. They also urged the Bank to provide internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in the banking industry before graduation.
In response, the Head, Business and Commercial Banking, at Stanbic Bank Mr. Farihan Alhassan, pledged to provide 100 slots for students to undertake their internships at Stanbic Bank. He assured the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the bank’s commitment to strengthen the partnership with KNUST to promote long-term development in the educational sector. Accompanying Mr. Remy Osuagwu was Alhassan Iddrisu Danaa - Head, Commercial Clients; Mr. Godfred Febiri - Suite Manager, Commercial Clients, Ashanti-Bono; and Mr. Gali Muntaka - Relationship Manager, Commercial Clients.
