Background of KNUST

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the second public university established in the country. It was founded as the Kumasi College of Technology in 1952.The nucleus of the college was formed from 200 teacher training students transferred from Achimota in the Greater Accra Region. The college was affiliated to the University of London. In 1961, the college was granted full university status. The main university campus which is about seven square miles in area, is located about eight miles to the east of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.

The Kumasi College of Technology opened officially on 22 January 1952 with 200 Teacher Training students transferred from Achimota, to form the nucleus of the new College. In October, 1952, the School of Engineering and the Department of Commerce were established and the first students were admitted. A Pharmacy Department was established in January, 1953, with the transfer of the former School of Pharmacy from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, to the College. The Department ran a two-year comprehensive course in Pharmacy leading to the award of the Pharmacy Board Certificate. A Department of Agriculture was opened in the same year to provide a number of ad hoc courses of varying duration, from a few terms to three years, for the Ministry of Agriculture. A Department of General Studies was also instituted to prepare students for the Higher School Certificate Examinations in both Science and Arts subjects and to give instruction in such subjects as were requested by the other departments.

From 1952 to 1955, the School of Engineering prepared students for professional qualifications only. In 1955, the School embarked on courses leading to the University of London Bachelor of Engineering External Degree Examinations.

Once established, the College began to grow and in 1957, the School of Architecture, Town Planning and Building was inaugurated and its first students were admitted in January, 1958, for professional courses in Architecture, Town Planning and Building. As the College expanded, it was decided to make the Kumasi College of Technology a purely science and technology institution. In pursuit of this policy, the Teacher Training College, with the exception of the Art School, was transferred in January, 1958, to the Winneba Training College, and in 1959 the Commerce Department was transferred to Achimota to form the nucleus of the present School of administration of the University of Ghana, Legon.

In December, 1960, the Government of Ghana appointed a University Commission to advise it on the future development of University Education Ghana, in connection with the proposal to transform the University College of Ghana and the Kumasi College of Technology into an independent University of Ghana. Following the report of the commission which came out early 1961, Government decided to establish two independent Universities in Kumasi and Legon, Accra. The Kumasi College of Technology was thus transformed into a full-fledged University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology by an Act of Parliament on 22 August 1961. The name honors Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister and later president of Ghana.

The University name was changed to University of Science and Technology after the Revolution of 24 February 1966. The University of Science and Technology was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, 20 November 1961. However, another act of Parliament(Act 559 of 1998) changed the name back to its original version, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Vision and Mission

Vision Statement: The vision of KNUST is to be globally recognised as the premier Centre of excellence in Africa for teaching in Science and Technology for development; producing high calibre graduates with knowledge and expertise to support the industrial and socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa.

Mission Statement: The mission of KNUST is to provide an environment for teaching, research and entrepreneurship training in Science and Technology for development of Ghana and Africa. KNUST will also provide service to the community, be open to all the people of Ghana and positioned to attract scholars, industrialists and entrepreneurs from Africa and other international communities.

Organization and Administration

 Principal Officers

The principal Officers of the University as set out in the Statutes are the Chancellor, Chairman of the University Council and Vice-Chancellor. As of 2011, the position of Chancellor was held by The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

 Governing Body

Governance of the University is carried out by the University Council, primarily through the Academic Board which is responsible for:

• formulating and carrying out the academic policy of the University;
• devising and regulating the courses of instruction and study, and supervising research;
• regulating the conduct of examinations and the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates;
• advising the University Council on the admission of students and the award of scholarships;
• reporting on such matters as may be referred to it by the University Council.

Academics

The collegiate system of the university was reviewed, and from the 2010/11 academic year some of the colleges operate a 2-tier system, while others maintain their 3-tier system.

Colleges under the three tier system (Provost/Dean/Head of Department):

 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Faculty of Agriculture

• Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension
• Department of Animal Sciences
• Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
• Department of Horticulture

• Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources

• Department of Agroforestry
• Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management
• Department of Silviculture and Forest Management
• Department of Wildlife and Range Management
• Department of Wood Science and Technology

• Faculty of Forest Resources Technology (Sunyani)

• Department of Ecotourism and Forest Recreation
• Department of Land Reclamation and Rehabilitation
• Department of Social Forestry
• Department of Wood Processing and Marketing

 College of Health Sciences

• Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

• Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
• Department of Nursing
• Department of Sports and Excercise Science
• Department of Sonography

• Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• School of Medical Sciences
• Dental School
• School of Veterinary Medicine

 College of Art and Social Sciences

• Centre for Cultural and African Studies
• Faculty of Art

• Department of Industrial Art
• Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry
• Department of Publishing Studies
• Department of General Art Studies
• Department of Painting and Sculpture
• Department of Communication Design

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Social Sciences

• Department of Economics
• Department of Geography and Rural Development
• Department of History and Political Studies
• Department of English
• Department of Modern Languages
• Department of Sociology and Social Work
• Department of Religious Studies

• School of Business

Colleges under the two tier system (Provos/Head of Department):

College of Architecture and Planning

• Department of Architecture
• Department of Building Technology
• Department of Land Economy
• Department of Planning

 College of Engineering

• Department of Agricultural Engineering
• Department of Chemical Engineering
• Department of Civil Engineering
• Department of Computer Engineering
• Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• Department of Geological Engineering
• Department of Geomatic Engineering
• Department of Materials Engineering
• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Department of Geodetic Engineering

College of Science

• Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Environmental Science
• Department of Food Science and Technology
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Optometry and Visual Science
• Department of Physics
• Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology

Institute of Distance Learning

In the year 2005, the KNUST adopted Distance Learning as a viable complement to the conventional face-to-face system of education. This decision was made in order to offer opportunity for people to pursue academic programmes with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), while still on full time employment.

In October, 2007, the Academic Board changed the status of the Faculty of Distance Learning to an Institute, in order to give it more leverage and autonomy. The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) is therefore expected to increase access to quality tertiary education and training through the use of a wide range of technologies.

KNUST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FORMED AT C-POLY

By: Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei

Members of the branch with the C/R Chairman of the Association Dr.L.Hony



The Regional Chairman of KNUST Alumni association Dr. Sir Lawerence Hony has appealed to members of the association to participate more in the functions of the alumni.  

He made this known during the  inauguration Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Alumni branch at Cape Coast Polytechnic. He asked the executive of the branch to find innovative ways to attract more members to participate in the monthly meeting and strengthen its network base in order to solve challenges facing the nation.

On his part, the President of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Alumni branch at Cape Coast Polytechnic Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei disclosed that the association would organise several research conferences to encourage members to carry out more research. In an attempt to generate income for the association, he suggested a consultancy firm, would be established  to provide services to companies and individuals.

In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Otoo Ellis, called on the National executives to establish a journal that will publicise the activities of the association and appealed to them to chase for membership in the ten regions of the country. He said this when he welcomed the Executives and members of the KNUST Alumni Association to the University at the Council Chamber. The event was designed to congratulate Professor Ellis on his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, and make him aware of The National Council Meeting of the Alumni Association. 

The National President of the KNUST Alumni Association, Tony Danklu, stated that the Association could be strengthened on the University's campus since it is the basic source of potential members. He appealed to Management of the University to come to the Association's aid in devising strategies and implementing mechanisms aimed at attracting and sustaining new members. He further suggested that the University institutes an Alumni levy as a viable strategy of sustaining fresh graduates in the Association. At the end of the interaction of the meeting  Professor S.O. Asiama, the former National President of the KNUST Alumni Association, who was judged as "KNUST Alumnus Of The Year 2010" was honoured with a plaque. He expressed his appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the warm reception on behalf of the KNUST Alumni Association.

Shortly afterwards the National Executive Council (NEC) held a meeting at the Republic Hall conference room. Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei represented Dr. Sir. Lawrence Honorary Regional Chairman of KNUST Alumni Central Region reported the activities of the chapter. He indicated that as part of membership drive a new chapter had been established on Cape Coast Polytechnic. He also revealed that a chapter would soon be establishing on UCC campus. 

Some of the National Executive Members applauded Central Region for their creativity of attracting members to the association. However many more expressed displeasure that when they visited the region those that there were only four members to be met at ECG. They appealed for Cape Coast Polytechnic chapter to be strengthened.

The house appointed Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei as coordinator of Cape Coast Polytechnic Branch to be present at any meeting of the National Executive Council. Tema, Kumasi, Sunyani , Temale , and Koforidua  chapters presented their report.The council directed Koforidua to conduct election to elect new executives in the next two months.

It was announced by the President Tony Danklu that the North America KNUST Alumni Chapter will organise their congress in the June 2011 and any who is interested to attend can inform the association. Members who were interested in attending were reminded that only if they were capable of paying airfare would they be able to go. The next KNUST Alumni congress would be held at Kofridua in 2012, the month is yet to be confirmed.

CONSTITUTION OF KNUST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION , CAPE COAST POLYTECHNIC BRANCH

KNUST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

CAPE COAST POLYTECHNIC BRANCH

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

In the name of the Almighty God

We the members of KNUST Alumni,

 Cape Coast Polytechnic Branch

In appreciation of the Training inculcated in us during the period of our academic programmes in KNUST, and

Desirous to give back to our alma mater her due,

Having in us the Spirit of “together we stand,” and

Willing to promote friendship, development, and academic excellence,

And in Solemn declaration and affirmation of our commitment to;

The University,

Do hereby Enact, Adopt And Give to Ourselves This Constitution to guide and rule us in the performance and the operations of our association on this 18^th day of February in the year of our Lord TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN (2011)

ARTICLE ONE (1) :     NAME

The Association shall be known and called, KNUST ALUMNI, CAPE COAST POLYTECHNIC  BRANCH

Hereinafter referred to as “the Association”.

ARTICLE TWO (2) :     AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1.            To bring together all past students of KNUST in a common bond of friendship;

2.            To foster cordial relations amongst the said past students;

3.            To speak collectively on all matters affecting members of the association, including welfare, interest of members, etc. ;

4.            To undertake activities to improve the welfare of  KNUST and uplift HER image; and

5.            To foster cordial relations between it and its sister Associations across the country.

ARTICLE THREE (3) :                   MEMBERSHIP

1.            Membership shall be opened to anybody who has completed a programme of study in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

2.            Without prejudice to article three clause one 3(1) above, the status of HONORARY MEMBER may be conferred by the Association on any person it may deem fit.

3.            For the avoidance of doubt, the sitting Vice-Chancellor and past Vice-Chancellors of the University shall be Honorary Members. 

ARTICLE FOUR (4) :            EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There shall be an Executive Committee of the Association, who shall be elected by members to run the association for maximum of two terms. It will comprise:                     

I.           PRESIDENT

II.         VICE-PRESIDENT

III.      SECRETARY

IV.       FINANCIAL SECRETARY/ TREASURER

V.         ORGANISER

ARTICLE FIVE (5) :              ELEGIBILTY AND TENURE

1.            Only paid up members shall be eligible to hold office.

2.            Candidates for election to the various offices of the association may be eligible for re-election for another term of office, except that a candidate may not be eligible to hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

3.            A term of office shall be Two (2) years, the year beginning from January and ending in December

 ARTICLE SIX (6) :                ELECTIONS

1.            The elections of officers shall be by secret ballot and shall be conducted by an election committee appointed by members of the house in the second year. The composition of election committee must be five members

2.            Election of officers shall be held biennially in the first week of November for the following term of office

3.             A candidate for an office of the association shall be nominated by a member of the Association, whose nomination shall be seconded by at least two (2) other members.

4.            For the avoidance of doubt, members who nominate and second must qualify to be elected to a position on the Executive Committee.

5.            The candidate polling the largest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the event of a tie, there shall be a fresh ballot for the candidates who tied. Where there is a sole candidate, a simple majority of votes cast, shall be required to elect or reject the candidate.

6.            There shall be a formal Handing-Over Ceremony within one month after the election, on a date agreed on by the incoming and outgoing executives.

  ARTICLE SEVEN (7) :                  DUTIES & POWERS OF OFFICERS

1. PRESIDENT

              (i)      The President shall direct the convening of all meetings.

             (ii)     The President shall preside over all meetings both general and executive of the Association.

            (iii)    Shall see to the implementation of all policy decisions of the association.

            (iv)    Carry out day to day administration of the association.

             (v)     He/she shall be the spokesperson of the Association and at his/her discretion, may direct any other officer to assume any of the duties assigned to another officer in his/her absence.

            (vi)    He/she may appoint a committee of executive members and or ordinary members for purposes he/she so deems fit.

            (vii)   The President, in consultation with the executives, may appoint a committee for carrying out any function, in the interest of the association.

           (viii)   In cases of emergency he will have the power to make decisions on behalf of the association.

            (ix)    Shall represent the association at the chapter level, if any

2. VICE-PRESIDENT

 (i)    He/ she shall assist the President

(ii)    He/she shall perform the President’s functions in the absence of the President

(iii)   He/she shall perform any other functions assigned to him by the President.

3. SECRETARY

              (i)      The Secretary shall, on the direction of the President, convene all meetings of the Association.

             (ii)     He/she shall record the proceedings of all meetings, and shall read all records of previous proceedings at meetings, except emergency meetings.

            (iii)    He/she shall be responsible for all correspondence of the Association.

            (iv)    He/she shall perform any other functions assigned to him/her by the President.

             (v)     Shall in collaboration with the president draw up agenda for all meetings

4. FINANCIAL SECRETARY/ TREASURER

              (i)      The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for all the financial transactions of the Association, including the receipt of monies belonging to the Association and payments of bills incurred by the Association.

             (ii)     He/she shall deposit in the Association’s Bank Account all monies so received for and on behalf of the Association within one week of such receipt.

            (iii)    He/she shall keep proper and true accounts of all documents and materials pertaining to the office of the Financial Secretary and produce such financial reports, as may be required.

            (iv)    He/she shall prepare an income and expenditure account at the end of every year for the attention of the Executives and Members

             (v)     He/she shall prepare and present to the members at the end of the year, financial report of the association for the year ended December.

5. ORGANISER

He/she shall organise membership drives of the Association.

He/she shall be responsible for organising all activities of the Association.

ARTICLE EIGHT (8) : REMOVAL OF OFFICERS/IMPEACHMENT

1.            Impeachment proceedings may be brought against any executive member who is proved to have exceeded his/her authority without justification, to have grossly abused his/her office or to have acted in such a manner as to either bring the name of the Association into disrepute or to hinder the achievement of the objectives of the Association.

2.            The notice of impeachment shall be in writing and signed by one-third (1/3) paid-up members of the Association and served on the secretary or in his/her absence any other executive member.

3.            The executive member(s) facing impeachment proceedings shall be allowed to speak in his/her defence and/or call witnesses to speak in his/her defence.

4.            The Executives and Members at the General Meeting shall vote

to impeach that executive. The impeachment shall hold if, at least one-third (1/3) of members present vote in favour of the impeachment.

5.            An Executive member may be removed from office if he becomes inactive in carrying out his duty in 3 months and an active member of the house may be appointed to occupy that position for the time being.

 ARTICLE NINE (9) :          RESIGNATION

1.            Any member of the Executive Committee may resign his or her position.

2.            A member wishing to resign shall do this in writing addressed to the President. In the case of the President, it shall be addressed to the Vice-President.

3.            The President on receipt of a resignation letter shall inform the Executive Committee who shall deliberate on it and take appropriate action

4.            The Executive Committee acting in consent shall accept or reject the intended resignation.

5.            Notwithstanding the immediate preceding clauses, a Member of the Executive Committee who in spite of the rejection of his or her resignation, insists on resigning, may go ahead with the decision.

ARTICLE TEN (10) :   MEETINGS

1.            There shall be a General Assembly meeting once every month.

2.            The Executives shall convene emergency meetings of the Association. For the avoidance of doubt, five (5) members who have paid their dues up-to-date, acting together may request in writing, that the executives convene an emergency meeting. Such requests shall be complied with within 14 days of request.

3.            Policies and activities of the Association shall be determined at a general meeting.

4.            The General Assembly shall have power to make and amend the Constitution and byelaws of the Association.

5.            Except for election, removal from office of executive members and decisions in disciplinary action, all other decisions shall be by simple majority.

6.            At every meeting of the Association, at least a third (1/3) member of the Association shall form the quorum. The quorum of an executive meeting shall be three (3).

ARTICLE ELEVEN (11) :     FINANCE

1.            All members of the Association, including honorary members, shall pay monthly dues to be determined by members at a General Meeting.

2.            The Association may from time to time, ask members to pay special sums of money for such legitimate purposes as may be determined by members.

3.            The Association shall accept donations and contributions from the general public. The Association shall operate a bank account with a recognised bank.

6.            The President, Financial Secretary and the Secretary shall be signatories to the bank account operated by the Association.

7.            The Executive Body shall present a budget and an outline of proposed activities for the Association at the first General Meeting at the beginning of their term 30 days after the handover ceremony.

 ARTICLE TWELVE (12) :     AUDITING

1     A team of three (3) auditors appointed by the Executives and the Members acting in concert shall audit the accounts of the Association and present its report to members at a General Meeting, provided that the

auditors are members of the Association other than executive members, persons preferably with knowledge in accounting must be selected, and must have fulfilled all their financial obligations to the Association.

2     Their report shall be lodged with the Executive Committee for discussion at least two weeks before the General Meeting.

3     The committee shall see to it that the financial secretary prepares an annual financial statement. They shall check and sign the financial report.

4     The accounts of the association shall be audited annually by the audit committee.

5     The financial year shall be from 1^st January to 31^st December.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN (13) : AMENDMENT

1.         Any notices of amendment to the Constitution shall be given one (1) calendar month before a General Meeting.

2          The notice of amendment shall be in writing and signed by any five (5) paid-up members of the Association and served on the secretary or in his/her absence any other executive member.

3          Only paid-up members shall be allowed to vote on the amendment. 

4          An amendment shall be carried by a one-thirds (1/3) majority of members present and entitled to vote.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN (14) :          BYE-LAWS

1.     Subject to the approval by a General Meeting of the Association, the Executive Committee may make such bye-laws as are deemed appropriate, towards the realisation of the aspirations of the Association. 

ARTICLE FIFTEEN (15) :   CONDUCT & DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

1         Every member shall comport himself/herself in a manner that is in consonance with the aims and objectives of the Association.

2         Each member shall contribute in any way possible to promote, uphold and defend the good image of the Association.

3         Any member of the Association may bring to the notice of the Executives any act or conducts by any member that can put the image of the association into disrepute.

4         An ad-hoc panel consisting of three fully paid-up members nominated by the Executives shall investigate the act or conduct complained about. The decision of the panel shall be subject to an appeal to the General Meeting.

5         The Committee upon its findings shall be empowered to recommend to the Executives the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken. This may take the form of any of the following:-

i.          Cautioning                          

ii.         Writing an apology

iii.       Payment of a fine               

iv.        Suspension

v.            Any other form of disciplinary action deemed by the Association as appropriate, depending on the gravity of the offence. 

ARTICLE SIXTEEN (16):               COMMENCEMENT

This constitution shall come into force immediately after the election of executives.

Date: MARCH 2011