Head of the KNUST Counselling Centre, Mrs. Victoria De-Graft Ajei, has spotlighted the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi’s innovative mental health initiatives at the 2025 Education Collaborative June Convening in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Education Collaborative’s 2025 June Convening, held from June 17 to 20, brought together university leaders, academics and stakeholders from across Africa to rethink and re-center student development within higher education.

The event under the theme: “Re-centering Student Development,” explored integrated services, mental health strategies, career-aligned curricula and collaborative models for enhancing student outcomes.

Representing Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), ranked number one globally for quality education, Mrs. Victoria De Graft Ajei joined a key panel on “Tackling the Growing Student Mental Health Epidemic.”

In her contribution, Mrs. De-Graft Ajei emphasized the need for proactive institutional mental health policies. She shared KNUST’s tailored approaches, including the university’s Counselling, Anti Sexual Harassment and Gender policies, which have collectively improved student success and well-being.

She also spotlighted the work of the KNUST Counselling Centre, detailing its flagship programmes such as College Counselling, Psychoeducation Seminars, the annual Counselling and Emotional Health Awareness Promotion Week, and the newly launched eCounselling App.

The app in particular drew widespread interest from participants keen to replicate the innovation in their institutions.

Mrs. De-Graft Ajei also noted the essential collaboration between key KNUST units including the Directorate of Student Affairs, University Hospital, Security Services, Wellness Centre and Career Services Centre in fostering a holistic support ecosystem.