KNUST E-Learning Centre hosts Seychelles President: strengthening global academic ties
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) E-Learning Centre was at the heart of discussions during a visit by President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles and his delegation to the university. The visit, which highlighted KNUST's innovative approaches to education, included a tour of the E-Learning Centre led by its Director, Professor Eric Appau Asante, and Senior Assistant Registrar, Christopher Addo.
Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, noted the university's commitment to providing quality education and fostering partnerships.
“This is a university with over 80,000 students. When you add staff and their dependents, we go beyond 100,000. As a leading science and technology university, we are committed to sharing our resources and expertise with the global community, as demonstrated by the success of the KNUST E-Learning Centre.” The Vice-Chancellor highlighted KNUST's recognition as the best university globally for quality education under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4. She also shared the recent achievement of international accreditation from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency.
E-Learning Centre at the forefront
During the tour of the E-Learning Centre, Professor Appau Asante highlighted the Centre’s role in transforming education delivery at KNUST, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “When the pandemic struck in 2020, the E-Learning Centre ensured that education continued without interruption. We invested in advanced technologies to bring education to the doorsteps of our students, whether they were at home or working. This continues to bridge gaps in access to quality education,” Professor Asante explained.
Christopher Addo, the Senior Assistant Registrar, explained how the facility supports online learning for students across various disciplines, ensuring they can access lectures, assignments, and exams remotely. “We are proud to support the university’s Institute of Distance Learning, which complements the work of the E-Learning Centre.
Together, we ensure education reaches students wherever they are,” he said.
A platform for collaboration
President Ramkalawan expressed admiration for the Centre and its operations, emphasizing the potential for collaboration between KNUST and the University of Seychelles. “This tour has shown us the possibilities of how education can be delivered efficiently and inclusively.
As a young university, we are looking to partner with institutions like KNUST to enhance our offerings, particularly in environmental studies and health sciences,” the President said. He noted the importance of aligning educational programs with national priorities and hinted at future student and faculty exchange programs between the two universities. “The education system should not only focus on degrees but also on how those degrees contribute meaningfully to national development.
We are eager to see how this partnership can advance our mutual goals,” he added.
Driving innovation
KNUST’s commitment to innovation in education was reflected throughout the discussions. The Vice-Chancellor mentioned the university's philosophy of inclusivity, stating that the E-Learning Centre is integral to their mission of “education at your doorstep.” “This partnership represents a bridge between our institutions and nations. By leveraging technology, we can create opportunities for students and faculty to connect and learn without boundaries,” she said.
Next steps
Both institutions expressed optimism about formalizing their relationship through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Professor Dickson indicated that the KNUST International Programmes Office, led by Professor Daniel Duah,
would spearhead efforts to ensure the partnership's success. “The most important question is, what are the next steps? With the leadership we have, I am confident we can concretize this partnership for mutual benefit,” she said.
Published: 26th November, 2024 Source: KNUST E-Learning Centre