The College of Art and Built Environment (CABE) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has seen an increment in postgraduate enrolment from 1,006 to 1,357 representing an increment of 34.9% during the 2023/24 academic year. This came to light when the Provost of the CABE, Professor John Tia Bugri was delivering his report at the 58th congregation ceremony of the University.
Professor Tia Bugri explained that the drive to increase postgraduate education is in line with management’s vison of making KNUST, which is already a citadel of quality education, a more research-intensive institution. In his address to the congregation, he said in view of this, during the year under review, undergraduate student enrolment decreased from 18,092 to 17,086, which according to him reflects the need for quality education, which represents a 0.6% drop in undergraduate enrolment.
However, Consequently, as part of the 58th congregation, the Faculty of Educational studies, the youngest faculty would be presenting 32 graduands for the award of MSc. Higher Education Pedagogy, which comprises 20 academic staff members, with the view to enhancing academic delivery to students.
He commended benefactors and stakeholders of the College, especially ASIB Construction Limited for their support in the construction of the edifice of the College nearing completion.
This year, the College is presenting a total of two thousand and three (2003) graduands. This comprises 1237 males representing 61.8% and 766 females representing 38.2% for the 58th congregation ceremony. Out of this number, 380 are graduating with first class honours, representing 19%, 1,139 had second class honours upper division, representing 59%, 430 are graduating with second class lower division representing 21.5% and 14 representing 0.007%.
The Valedictorian, Eliasu Yahaya a graduand of the Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management, obtained a cumulative weighted average of 81.04, emerging as the overall best student out of the two thousand and three (2003) graduands of the College. Mr. Eliasu Yahaya, in his valedictory speech, noted that their experiences in and outside the classroom shaped them and the mentorship of faculty all have culminated in their success. He observed that success is never a solitary journey but a result of support, mentorship and compassion of those around. The valedictorian stated that KNUST had done it part by training them to be intelligent and encouraged his peers to continue learning as they enter the corporate world.
The Madina Crime Officer Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari, an alumnus, motivating the graduands paid tribute to faculty who are part of her success story, according to her, they made her who she is today. In her submission on “policing with the eyes of a painter” she inspired graduands, to challenge their potential and to make appropriate choices as they enter the world of work. CSP Dr. Aba Afari shared her experiences as a police officer, a painter and a psychologist in helping solve criminal challenges. She urged graduands to be that change they aspire to see and the outcome of the change. She shared how her education in policing and painting from KNUST enabled her to be one of the best in her area of jurisdiction as a criminal investigator, as she developed the necessary skills set necessary for her work from her education.
CSP Dr. Sarah Aba Afari therefore encouraged the graduating class to make a good mark as young graduands.
"Whatever you do, remember a day of reckoning comes," she added. The Madina Criminal Officer, charged ladies to change the narrative, she noted that with the requisite capacity building, women can competently fill in male roles. She continued that as a police officer and an art therapist, art therapy is considered an alternative medicine. As fresh graduates, they should remember that whatever they learn in school should be used in the field of work and by adding innovation to what they know to solve community problems and meet their needs. “You are the hope and future of this country, do ypour best and be law abiding citizens,” she added. Advising the ladies, she stated that they should not limit beauty to their faces, but their beauty is their ability to make changes and investment in others. She also cautioned them against sharing or allowing others to take advantage of them by recording or taking nude videos or pictures of them.
