Akuse, Oct 23, GNA - The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Kwesi Andam on Saturday said that students of the university are being encouraged to take keen interest in sporting activities.

This, he said is not only to help keep them fit but also assist them to become professional athletes to represent the nation and to achieve more laurels as well as promoting good healthy leadership. Prof. Andam was speaking to the GNA Sports at the third KNUST Alumni Inter-Hall 'family fun games' at Akuse. The members who form the Southern sector of the Alumni association of the University were from Tema, Ho, Akuse, Accra, Koforidua and Kumasi.

The Vice Chancellor, himself a tennis ball player said Wednesday afternoons has earmarked for sporting activities and students are urged to select one elective in any of the athletics events with swimming being compulsory.

On accommodation situation at the University, Prof. Andam regretted that only 7,000 out of the student population of 20,000 are residents with the rest lodging in town.

He therefore entreated the Alumni of the university to redouble their efforts to assist in the construction of the proposed students' hostel to alleviate the inconvenience of the students. The Vice Chancellor said a four-acre land has been allocated for the project and when completed it can accommodate 1,000 beds with affordable rent.

The university has the Republic, Queens, Independent, Unity, Katanga and Africa halls.

Answering questions about the manhandling of the female hip-life artistes, Ms Mzbel by the students, the Vice Chancellor said the situation was unfortunate and would not re-occur. He said an embargo has been placed on entertainment on the campus but on its resumption only entertainment's that promotes learning and provide academic knowledge would be allowed.

Prof. Seth Opini Asiamah, National President of the Alumni association asked the members to emulate the examples of their fellow Alumni of both Universities of Ghana, Legon and Cape Coast and aim at providing KNUST with a hostel.

Mr Hero Bhavnani, Chairman of the Alumni Hostel Committee and President of the Tema Chapter said the hostel project is estimated to cost four billion cedis and that so far about 500 million cedis have been realised, adding that the project is expected to commence in January 2006.

The members entertained themselves with in and out door games with their children participating.