The Chancellor of KNUST, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has stated that vigorous research and development programmes serve as the engine of growth for national development. Countries in the West and the Asian Tigers were successful because of the premium they put on research and development and the support to research institutions.
The Asantehene made the statement at the climax of the 47th Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
The 47th Congregation which took place between 27thand 29th June was a series of ceremonies during which various diplomas and degrees were awarded to graduands. The climax was the award of degrees to the undergraduate students from the Institute of Distance learning (IDL) and postgraduate students from the School of Graduate Studies.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said Ghana could make a positive breakthrough if research was promoted and given a pride of place. It was for that reason that the University, together with its sister institutions, was craving and crying for the establishment of a national foundation for research and development. The foundation, Otumfuo explained, would serve as an instrument, a vehicle for harnessing funds and scholarships for research and graduate training in the universities and other research institutions. He therefore appealed to government to seriously consider the establishment of such a foundation.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also appealed to government tourgently provide support and partner the University to acquire the necessary infrastructural backbone for distance education and e-learning for greater access to higher education in science and technology education and training. Again he appealed for support for the public- private partnership initiatives of the University for Infrastructural Development.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice Chancellor, used the occasion to brief the gathering on some of the activities and events that took place in the University in the academic year. Last year, under the auspices of the national Peace Council and the Chancellor, the University hosted a high level meeting with the 2012 presidential candidates on the theme “Taking a Stand against Electoral Violence, Impunity and Injustice” on 27th November, 2012. The programme attracted all the presidential candidates of the political parties and an independent presidential candidate to sign the Kumasi Declaration.
Prof. Ellis said KNUST had been chosen as the preferred institution for affiliation and received twelve affiliation applications, some of which were being processed. KNUST was currently mentoring 21 instituions that were running programmes which were in consonance with KNUST’s mandate as a science and technology University. Last year affiliation agreement was signed with the Anglican University College of Technology, the Accra Institute of Technology, the Technical University College of Tamale and Cape Coast Polytechnic. Approval for affiliation had been given to the Narh-Bita College of Nursing, Accra Polytechnic, the Heritage Christian University College and the Pentecost University College.
