Published: 18 Jan 2017 Source: University Relations Office (URO)
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) recorded a 50% reduction in crime within the last quarter of 2016. This was as a result of effective security strategies and policies initiated by management to avert crime and to ensure the safety of staff and students. Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, the Vice-Chancellor, gave this information to pressmen on Friday, 13th January, 2016 when the KNUST Press Corps paid a courtesy call on him at the Council Chamber.
Briefing the media, Prof. Obiri-Danso indicated that the diversion of vehicles from the main University entrance among other interventions accounted for the achievement. Beside this, he indicated that a lot of barriers had been mounted at various points in the university.
He noted that currently, only vehicles that had the KNUST commercial vehicles stickers are allowed entry through the main entrance of the University. He explained that drivers of such vehicles have their details and fingerprints with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.
He further informed the pressmen that the University is installed 387 LED-bulb street lights, out of which 50 were in areas where students pass and there are plans to add 1400 energy bulbs and streetlights. In addition, the university is in the process of installing CCTV cameras to improve security.
The Vice-Chancellor officially welcomed the media and thanked them for the support over the years. He stated that the media was a partner in helping disseminate research information and hoped the two parties deepened their collaboration.
The Vice-Chancellor informed the media about plans and recent developments such as the establishment of TEK TV for educational broadcasting to help less-endowed senior high schools. He also informed them about KNUST’s initiative of training Information Technology (IT) instructors from the surrounding communities, and the donation of over 3,000 pieces of furniture and computers to basic schools in the communities.
He assured the media that they would soon benefit from multimedia training courses from TEK TV and the Department of Communication Design.
On international linkages, Prof. Kwasi Obiri Danso, informed the media of the “3+1+1” Scholarship Scheme with the Arizona State University (ASU). He revealed that the scheme would afford 30 KNUST students the opportunity to spend their final undergraduate year at the Arizona State University. Thus upon completion of the third year, students would proceed to ASU and spend another year and be awarded KNUST certificates. Thereafter, another year of studies would be pursued leading to the award of a master’s degree by ASU. He announced that already seven lecturers had benefitted from the scheme.
Kwame Yeboah Jr., Acting Deputy Registrar in the University Relations Office, stated that the media partners visit was to officially meet the Vice-Chancellor and interact with him. This, he said was important because it provided them the opportunity to meet the Vice-Chancellor since his investiture last August.
Daniel Kenu, Ashanti Regional Editor of the Graphic Communications Group, who led the media assured the Vice-Chancellor and KNUST of their support and assistance as a partner in development. Mr. Kenu stated that the University could count on them as media partners to help project and publicise the university.
The visit saw senior reporters and editors from print, online, radio and television networks from Multimedia Group, Kessben Media, Hello FM, Graphic Communications Group, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghanaian Times, Ghana News Agency, TV3 Network, Focus FM and the University Relations Office interacting with the Vice-Chancellor.