The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Professor David Asamoah has encouraged newly admitted students to remain focused, grounded in faith and disciplined in character as they begin their academic journey at the university.

Speaking to freshmen at a service organised by the GraceFields Chapel, KNUST Chapter, Prof. Asamoah congratulated the students on gaining admission to the university, describing it as a significant achievement.

“You are winners,” he said, noting that their successful completion of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) had earned them a place at what he described as a prestigious institution.

He conveyed congratulations to the students on behalf of the Chairman of Council and the management of the university, and urged them to remain confident in their abilities and purpose.

The Prof. Asamoah told the students that their admission to KNUST marked the beginning of a process of growth and preparation for service to society. Using an agricultural metaphor, he said they had been “planted, not buried,” and encouraged them to see the challenges ahead as opportunities for development.

He advised the students to remain anchored in their faith, warning that university life would come with challenges that required resilience and moral grounding. He stressed the importance of guarding one’s identity, urging students to avoid unhealthy comparisons and to remain confident in who they are and the values they carry.

“Do not let comparison rob you of your joy,” he said, encouraging students to take pride in their background, upbringing and individuality.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor also urged students to be deliberate about the friendships they form, noting that peer influence plays a critical role in shaping character and direction. He encouraged them to choose relationships that promote growth in both faith and conduct.

He further challenged the freshmen to strike a balance between academic excellence and spiritual development, saying the two were not mutually exclusive. He encouraged them to use their talents and abilities to serve others, both within and outside the classroom.