$250,000 for ICT development at KNUST

Kumasi, Nov. 11, GNA - The Government has allocated S$250,000 towards the strengthening of Information and Communications and Technology (ICT) infrastructure at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice-Chancellor, has announced. He said with universities worldwide sharing educational and research materials online on various websites, the support would significantly enhance the core business of the KNUST.

Prof Ellis said this in an address read on his behalf at the opening of a two-day sensitization workshop on "Smart Toolkit", an IT database that helps communication experts, researchers and scientists to access up-to-date, credible information for planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects and services.

It was organised by the African, Caribbean and Pacific -European Union Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA) and hosted by the KNUST.

Forty officials, comprising senior decision and policy makers in government ministries, research institutions, universities, farmers' organizations and the media attended the event.

Prof Ellis said the support would help the University to deploy a vibrant web portal system, develop and adopt appropriate soft ware for financial management, human resource development, research work as well as increase access to library resources through intranet. Additionally, focus would be shifted to "E-books" and journals to benefit students and the outside world.

Prof Ellis said information, knowledge acquisition and management had become the main drivers of socio-economic development and growth. He was therefore confident that the workshop would build the capacity of the participants to enable them identify where progress had been made and further work is needed for optimal performance.

Dr Ibrahim Khadar, Manager, Planning and Strategic Services Department of CTA, said the centre would continue to create the right environment and bring together evaluation managers and specialists to share knowledge to boost international development programmes.