KNUST establishes TV station to promote education

A new television station – TEK TV, set up by the Kwame Nkrumah established by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has been officially inaugurated.

On hand to perform the inauguration of the station, the brainchild of the Communication Design Department of the University, was the Deputy Communications Minister, Mr. Ato Sarpong.

It would among other things put a spotlight on research findings, emerging issues in the creative arts industry and host educational programmes - the study of science and mathematics at the basic and senior high school (SHS) education levels.

These would be broadcast live on digital terrestrial platform to reach out to viewers across the world.

TEK-TV has a programmes, camera and design departments with a multimedia laboratory, sound studio, production control, post-production, make-up, master control, briefing and de-briefing rooms.

Mr. Sarpong said it was a giant step by the University authorities to promote research, education and technology.

He suggested that station broadcast programmes with local content to bring about diversity in its transmission.

This, he said, was necessary to create awareness of the nation’s cultural values and heritage, alongside its development aspirations and programmes.

Mr. Sarpong criticized the prevailing situation where majority of programmes of Ghanaian TV stations was dominated by foreign content, and asked that this was changed.

Dr. Edward Appiah, Head of the KNUST Communication Design Department, announced that it would collaborate with some basic and SHS in the Ashanti Region to record and repackage their science and mathematics lessons.

This would help telecast these live to support the nation’s drive towards science and mathematics education.

Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, said they intended to run short courses for electronic media practitioners and potential practitioners in animation, filming and editing to promote excellence.

The Communications Design Department would also expand its post-graduate programmes in multi-media.