Greenbelt, MARYLAND, -- The eighth biennial national convention of the KNUST Alumni Association of North America was held from July 4 -7 in Maryland, USA. Under the theme, “Leveraging our core strengths to our benefits,” the convention brought together alumni within the continent of North America and beyond to strategize on how best to contribute proactively to the development of their alma mater, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology. Attendees were primarily from the United States, Ghana and Bermuda.

This year’s biennial convention was graced by Dr. Kwame Saarah-Mensah, Acting Chair of the University Council; Prof. W.O. Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST; Mr. Tony Danklu, President and Ms. Eunice Akosua Amoako, General Secretary of KNUST-Alumni in Ghana and Prof. Kwasi Adarkwa, former Vice Chancellor.

The 2014 Convention was chaired by the President of KNUST-NA, Dr. Joe Conduah, and structured in 3 modules: a pre-convention summit, business meeting and a dinner banquet. The pre-convention summit afforded leaders of the University and the Alumni Association the opportunity to brainstorm strategies to advance the alumni organization. Strategy highlights included the creation of a National Alumni Secretariat as part of administrative reforms; a joint venture project between the University and the Association to establish a student’s hostel on campus and growing the Association’s Endowment Fund. The Summit also provided the platform for delegates to review the alumni’s universal constitution and develop innovative ideas to improve her membership base. The need for old students to commit efforts to help build and uphold the KNUST brand within their spheres of influence and to contribute towards leaving a legacy on campus for future generations was emphasized throughout the summit.

In his state of the university address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. W.O. Ellis reiterated that the link between alumni and their alma mater is an inseparable one. Prof. Ellis expressed gratitude to the Alumni Association for its unwavering support of the University, and he proceeded to give a summary of significant strides made by his leadership in the areas of administrative, academic and infrastructure benchmarks. The current student population stood at 42,000 with total female admissions exceeding 50% cumulatively in the last four academic years. Some strides achieved by the university amongst several listed by him included improving the research capacity base through re-equipping and modernizing laboratories in pharmacy research, oil and gas engineering, and ICT. 29 new academic programs have been introduced, 23 of which are in science and technology. Prof Ellis indicated KNUST has collaborative MOUs with more than 58 international institutions.

The convention concluded with a dinner banquet that provided a festive atmosphere for alumni to relive memories of their campus days as they reconnected with old friends and foes, and established new contacts. Alumni also donated graciously towards the growth of the Endowment Fund. Dr. Kwame Saarah-Mensah, the Acting Chairman of the University Council, delivered the key-note address. He issued a rallying call to alumni to be proud of their alma mater and make all the necessary efforts to help support KNUST in its activities, be it academic or financial, and also help increase the visibility of the university to the outside world. A minute of silence was observed in respect of the fallen KNUST hero, and former Chairman of the University Council, Mr. P.V. Obeng, who passed away earlier this year.

The evening also saw the swearing-in of a new executive team of the North America Alumni Association under the leadership of Dr. Yao Ababio who pledged their allegiance and promised to uphold the trust the alumni had placed in them.

Dr. Kwame Saarah-Mensah, swearing in the new officers of KNUST-Alumni North America. From left: Dr. Yao Ababio, President; Ms. Lynda Korsah, Vice President; Mrs. Sabina Acquah, Treasurer; Dr. Leslie Mills, Secretary; Mr. Kwame Boafo, Assist Secretary/Publicity, and Mr. Kwame Poku, Financial Secretary.

Dr. Leslie Mills

Secretary, KNUST-Alumni North America

22 July 2014