The latest world universities ranking on the web has placed the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as the best in Ghana and 30th in Africa.
A copy of the rankings made available to the Daily Graphic at the inauguration of the Council of the KNUST in Kumasi had the University of Ghana coming second in Ghana and 50th in Africa
The "Webometrics Ranking of World Universities" is an initiative of the Cybermetrics Laboratory, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigations CientÃficas (CSIC), the largest public research body in Spain.
The CSIC, which is among the first basic research organisations in Europe, is attached to the Ministry of Education of that country.
Commenting on the latest placing, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, said the university had over the years carried itself with excellence in the fields of science and technology and was determined to go the extra mile to achieve more in its activities.
Mr Paul Victor Obeng, a former Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs in the first NDC administration, chairs the 19-member council, which was sworn in by the Supervising High Court Judge of Kumasi, Mr Justice Frank Amoah.
Prof. Adarkwa said even though KNUST continued to make strides in educational development, it also continued to encounter challenges, which demanded support to address.
For instance, the Vice Chancellor said whereas about GH¢23.6 million was needed to complete 15 ongoing projects on campus, only GH¢2.9 million was released this year for the projects.
The university, he said, needed to modernise its laboratories, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres, among other projects, to enhance teaching and learning.
Prof. Adarkwa stated that from the developments, it would be necessary for the university to privatise some of its activities and also enter into partnerships to ensure that various projects and programmes were undertaken without much difficulty.
In spite of the challenges, he said the university administration would not rest on its laurels but put in extra efforts to attain successes for the university.
Mr Obeng said being a council member was to serve and not to be served. It was, therefore, important for the members to avoid personal interests and work towards the uplift of the KNUST.
He paid tribute to his predecessor, Nana Otuo Siribuo, for the great work he did and pledged to continue with it.
Mr Obeng acknowledged the challenges facing the university and said “we are here to respond to these challenges but not to mourn over them or needlessly pass the buck”.
“In doing so we have to remember that there are additional human capital resources outside the council, management and the immediate university community. We should recognise this pool of resources as we embark on this journey,” he said.
He thanked the appointing authorities for the confidence reposed in his team.
Story : Kwame Asare Boadu/graphicghana
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