The new Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Prof. Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah, has outlined his plans for the Centre in a conversation that explored his background, leadership approach, and expectations for the future of digital learning at the university.

Speaking in an interview, Prof. Akowuah said he has spent his career at KNUST since 2012, working in roles that cut across ICT, digitisation, and engineering.

 “I’ve worked in several areas. The first area I worked outside my comfort zone was as the University’s ICT consultant, where I led most of the digitisation initiative of the University.”

The discussion opened with questions about how students describe him.

Prof. Akowuah said he has heard many views.

“People… there are different perspectives. One student wrote, ‘This man doesn’t have a hobby. So many assignments.’ Another one said, ‘He wants us to think outside the box.’ So these are different perspectives.”

The conversation also revisited a resurfaced video of his participation in a National Science and Maths Quiz trial contest during his school days at Mfantsipim.

He explained that his study habits shaped how people saw him.

“I picked up a habit from the first year in senior high school. I never let the sun rise on me in the dormitory,” he said.

Prof. Akowuah said he always knew he wanted to pursue engineering.

“In my family, there are a lot of doctors and lawyers. I wanted to be an engineer. I didn’t even do biology, so I disqualified myself.” he said.

Reflecting on his surprise appointment as Director of the E-Learning Centre, he noted that the transition happened quickly.

“I didn’t see this coming. Even that week, I was with my industrial partners and was planning for next year’s Technology Week, only to be told I’m moving to E-learning.”

He said his first visit to the Centre left him both optimistic and cautious.

“I was excited but also scared. You look at the level of achievement and progress, and then the expectations. But you also feel encouraged that you are surrounded by resources.”

Prof. Akowuah described the Centre as a place with strong potential and a motivated workforce.

“It’s a place of opportunities. People are very capable. They are very motivated.”

In his vision, he stressed collective ownership rather than personal leadership.

“Legacies must outlive people. We call our vision engagement, innovation, impact, and income generation.”

He said staff welfare is central to everything he wants to achieve.

“If people are not motivated, their concerns are not considered, then the vision becomes a daydream,” he said.

He listed training, capacity building, and better systems for staff development as priorities.

Prof. Akowuah confirmed that KNUST will introduce an AI course for all first-year students.

“Every first-year student coming next academic year will be taking an AI course regardless of their program. This will be self-paced, and the E-learning Centre will be driving that.”

He added that more digital skills programmes are being planned for students, alumni, and industry partners.

“What we should expect is for the E-learning Centre to play a leadership role as far as technology-driven learning is concerned. We should expect new things like AI-powered assessments and interaction tools.”

On industry collaboration, he said the Centre is ready to support companies with digital training, virtual simulation environments, and technology-enhanced assessment systems.

“We want to let them know that we have their needs at hand,” he said.

Prof. Akowuah described his leadership style as results-oriented.

“Maybe people might think you are too hard. But I work with an open-door policy. I don’t like micromanaging people. I like it when people take initiative.”

He added that the Centre aims to produce students who are able to learn independently.

“The future is for those who are capable of lifelong learning. Students must have the digital skills to survive.”

Prof. Akowuah called for continued support.

“We have come a long way, and we have come to stay. We just want your partnership so together we put KNUST where it belongs when it comes to innovation.”