The Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a supportive environment for international students, while encouraging them to serve as ambassadors of the University and contribute to its internationalisation agenda.
The commitment was made when the Directorate of Student Affairs (DoSA) introduced the newly elected and outgoing executives of the International Students Association (ISA) to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, urged the students to be mindful of their responsibility to project the image of the University positively, both while studying in Ghana and after returning to their respective countries.
“You want to project the university,” he said, emphasising that students’ conduct, academic performance and professional lives could influence how others perceive the institution from which they graduated.
He also underscored the importance of integration, encouraging international students to build meaningful relationships with Ghanaian students and the wider community rather than remain isolated within nationality-based associations.
Professor Agyare cited initiatives that allow international students to spend time with local families as an example of practical ways institutions could support cultural adjustment and integration.
He further encouraged the students to make the most of opportunities available to them, placing particular emphasis on networking.
“Networking is something that you can buy, but that can prepare you to higher places,” he said, urging students to cultivate positive relationships with people they encounter during their studies.
Professor Agyare said the University was exploring competitive funding mechanisms for postgraduate students and would encourage researchers to attract external grants that could provide support for students.
He said the University also aimed to attract talented postgraduate students from around the world as part of efforts to strengthen its international profile.
Professor Agyare disclosed plans to make postgraduate admissions available throughout the year, rather than tying them strictly to the undergraduate academic calendar.
Responding to concerns raised by the students, Professor Agyare reaffirmed the University’s commitment to maintaining an open-door policy for international students.
He encouraged students to approach the appropriate offices whenever they encountered challenges and assured them that Management would consider areas where intervention was possible.
Professor Agyare congratulated the incoming International Students Association (ISA) executives and challenged them to build on the achievements of their predecessors while strengthening relations between international students and the University.
Story: Ama Konadu Bandoh Photos: Isaac Kwaku Duah
