KNUST implements scheme for admitting students from less endowed schools

Kumasi, Aug. 5, GNA - Fifty-Nine students from Less Endowed Secondary Schools have been selected for admission into the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the 2003/2004 academic year.

The admissions are part of the University's special scheme to ensure that students from less resourced schools also benefit from University education.

Seventeen of the students are girls, representing 28.8 percent, while the remaining 42 are boys.

Prof Kwesi Andam, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, announced the new policy at a press conference in Kumasi on Monday.

He said the scheme, which was initiated this year, would be on pilot basis until the next semester when its operations would be broadened after an evaluation of its performance.

The VC disclosed that all the ten regions benefited from the special scheme except the Upper-East-Region, which failed to respond to the offer granted them by KNUST.

Prof Andam said it was the University's vision to broaden its admission to even 50,000 as a long-term measure.

"While thinking about enhanced admissions, the KNUST is also determined to ensure a balance in admissions, regarding students from well-endowed and those from the less endowed secondary schools."

As part of measures to cope up with its goal of increased admissions, the KNUST had started the expansion of facilities at the faculties, as well as, accommodation for students, the VC added. Prof Andam said under the restructuring system, KNUST would soon come out with a faculty of Distant Learning, "all in a bid to make University education accessible to those who may not be able to be on campus to pursue courses."