Kumasi, June 16, GNA - The College of Agriculture and National Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in collaboration with external bodies and agencies funded research projects, totaling GH¢390,000 at the University, last year. The projects included Agro-Forestry practices that sought to enhance and resource poor livelihoods and sustainable land management to mitigate land degradation and promote agriculture bio-diversity. Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, announced these at the 43rd Congregation of the University in Kumasi on Monday. In all, 415 out of 2,063 graduates from the three faculties of the College were presented with certificates.

Prof. Adarkwa said a total of 38 had First Class, 56 per cent obtained Second Class Upper Division, 35 per cent had Second Class Lower Division and one graduate had a Pass Degree.

He said the College realized GH¢81,951.83 from diary products and cattle adding "there are tremendous potentials for the College to make more money from this source to support such activities". Prof. Adarkwa said that the College in collaboration with the FInatrade Group of Companies secured GH¢50,000 for the establishment of a model farm that benefited the Animal Science, Rock and Soil Sciences and Horticulture Departments of KNUST.

He said this enabled students of these departments to improve their capacity in practical training as well as enhancing the College's income generating potentials.

Prof. Adarkwa said with effect from this year, the College would introduce new undergraduate programmes as part of its efforts to increase student's enrolment at the University.

The courses, he said, would include Land Scape Design and Management, Agriculture Bio-technology, Diary, Meat Science and Technology and Agribusinesses, which would lead to a higher patronage of the University to enhance its viability both in Ghana and Africa. Prof. Adarkwa lauded female students for their outstanding academic performance and said that "in some cases they even out-performed the men".

He reminded the graduates that that the world was full of challenges and advised them to be humble and acquire more knowledge to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development. Prof. Adarkwa asked the graduates to pay tribute to their families, parents and friends who made sacrifices to enable them to acquire academic laurels.

Mr. Samuel Sarpong, Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Commercial Bank, and a former student of KNUST, urged the graduates to use their knowledge and expertise to the benefit of the country. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and Chancellor of the University, attended this year's ceremony that was being held in 10 batches and would finally end next Saturday.