KNUST Alumni Association of North America Celebrates

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST) Alumni Association of North America Celebrates 10th anniversary and 2009 National Convention.

The KNUST Alumni Convention which took place at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois during the 4th of July weekend was a great success. This event will go down in history as one of the best and well organized and attended assembly of Technocrats (KNUST Alums) who have the interest of their alma mater at heart. Technocrats from the length and breadth of the United States of America attended. There were graduates from all the way in the 1960s through 1980s to the 2000s well represented at the convention. Spouses, children, fiancés and friends of Alumi also came to support to make the event successful. The amazing part was the presence of Alumni from the other Ghanaian universities who valued the occasion and came to contribute to the success of the convention.

In attendance were the following; His Excellency Former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama also alumni of KNUST; His Excellency Former Ambassador of Ghana to USA, Hon Koby Koomson; Professor K. K Adarkwa Vice Chancellor of KNUST; Professor Seth O Asiamah, Provost for Architecture and Planning KNUST ; Professor Peter Donkor, Provost of College of Health Sciences KNUST; Professor Aboagye Menyeh, Provost of College of Sciences KNUST; Professor Francis Momade, Provost of College of Engineering KNUST; Professor Samuel Akainyah (of Akainyah Gallery of Chicago) probably the most celebrated Ghanaian in the Chicagoland' and other several very important dignitaries from Ghana and Chicago. It was a very cordial atmosphere which granted lots of unique opportunities to interact with such honored individuals.

The evening of Friday, 3rd July was the casual meet and greet cocktail. Most of the dignitaries mentioned above were presence. Professor Samuel Evans Adunyah, a celebrated scientist who is also the outgoing President of KNUST Alumni of North America started the evening with a casual and humorous introduction of the dignitaries and the various regional executives of the association. That followed with brief statements by His Excellency Former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama and Professor K. K Adarkwa Vice Chancellor of KNUST – also an Alumnus. The evening continued with chit chats, jokes augmented with some soft and cocktail drinks and Ghanaian highlife music interludes by the Midwest chapter president, Mr Bismark Yaw Asiamah. The Kantegese from South Carolina, led by Professor 'Nana Osoowa' crowned the occasion with the usual Katanga spirit.

The Saturday 4th July, program began very early in the morning. The day's event was called to order by Professor Samuel Evans Adunyah “ the outgoing President of KNUST Alumni of North America during which the gathering sang both the KNUST and Ghana anthems. After the introduction of the KNUST National Executives, The President of the Midwest Central Chapter gave his welcome address. This was followed by20a presentation of a brief history of the association presented by three former KNUST Alumni Presidents. “ Professor Kojo Andoh, Dr. Emmanuel Agyeman Gyawu and Professor Samuel Evans Adunyah. In his president's report President Adunyah focused on the key achievements of the association during the last two years. He stressed that the accomplishments of the association include expansion of the membership in North American as evidenced by the official inauguration of the Midwest/Central and Washington, D.C (D.M.V) Chapters. In addition, he reported that plans are underway for the near future inaugurations of the New England, Delaware Valley and Southern California/LA Chapters. He also pointed to the association's successful efforts in assisting KNUST to develop academic linkages with US academic institutions. He also directed the attention to the real challenges facing the association and entreated the new national executive to tackle the challenges seriously

The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor K. K Adarkwa presented thought-provoking current state report of KNUST to the gathered Alumni. In addition, there were brief reports from the provosts of the various colleges on the state of their colleges. In his speech, The Vice Chancellor challenged the Alumni to start discussions on how best they can institute a scholarship scheme that will benefit the many students from less endowed schools and families. Such a fund, he said, can be managed by the Students' Financial Services Office and should not take too much funds to establish. The impact would be substantial and the University is prepared to match every amount contributed by the same amount to ensure that the Scheme is established.

The afternoon event was characterized by brief reports from various chapters (VA-DC-MD, Chicago, Delaware, New England, and Southeastern). Break-out sessions covering Fundraising and Endowment funds; Strategies and Assistance to KNUST; and Mentoring and Career Development Strategies for new alumni were held with great success. New leadership was voted into office to serve the Association for the next 2 years. The elected officers are Dr. Joe Okyere Conduah- National President; Jesus Bram Birikorang “ National Vice President; Osei Badu-Nkansah - National Secretary (re-elected); Henry Domi – National Asst Secretary; Anim Sampong “ National Publicity Officer and Dr Akwasi Ayanful “ National Treasurer (re-elected).

The Evening Session focused on Entertainment and fundraising. This was chaired by Hon Koby Koomson, former Ghana Ambassador to USA. Professor Samuel Akainyah, an alumnus and a prominent Ghanaian businessman in Chicago was the keynote speaker. In his address Prof Akainyah reminded us of who we are, where we come from and the institution that has made us who we are. He cited several examples of alumni support in the United States and entreated us to follow the noble deed of giving back.

In his acceptance address, the new President, Dr. Conduah thanked the Alumni Association for the honor given him to serve the association and assured the gathering that the newly elected executives will continue the aggressive membership drive until the remaining 95% alumni members are found and registered. He commended the outgoing President Prof Samuel Evans Adunyah and his spouse, Mrs. Patricia A. Bokyin-Adunyah for; (a) his exemplary leadership, personal resources and hard work that helped to pull off this convention, and b): for her unflinching support and dedication to her husband during his term of office, and promised to follow his footsteps. He promised the association that the executive will not rest on their oars and will do whatever is necessary to continue the fundraising challenge. He promised the Vice Chancellor the Alumni’s continued full support of his administration to help return this great university to its former glory. He thanked His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama for honoring our invitation to be our Guest Speaker at this important milestone in the history of the association, Honorable Koby Koomson for taking time off to join us and for sharing with us his fundraising expertise.

As part of the convention, Prof. Adunyah led a delegation of the Vice Chancellor's team consisting of the Vice Chancellor, the 4 provosts from KNUST and representatives of the National and Midwest/Executives to visit Northwestern in Chicago and University of Wisconsin (UW) at Madison. During the visits the team engaged in very productive discussions with the leadership of those institutions on research colla borations, faculty and student exchanges and explored the potentials for future establishment of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between KNUST and those two institutions. The potential academic linkages with these two US universities would be particularly helpful as they are likely to generate academic and research assistance to KNUST in areas of teaching, curricula development and faculty development as well as facilitate the establishment of the new Veterinary School at KNUST. The academic leaders of Northwestern University and University of Wisconsin expressed strong interests in establishing academic relationship with KNUST. On their part, the Vice Chancellor and the 4 provosts of KNUST stressed the importance of linkages to KNUST and pledged that they will effectively follow up to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance the academic programs at KNUST.

To climax the convention was the picnic and ˜cook out social event held on Sunday 5th July by the Chicago Chapter in honor of the His Excellency Former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Â Professor K. K Adarkwa Vice Chancellor of KNUST and the Provosts to further promote interaction and familiarity among members. Children had great time at the park with lots and lots of food, music and games. It was one of the most attended events in the history of KNUST alumni association. For further inquiries, please contact Dr Joe Conduah (President) at 608 469 8487, Mr Osei Badu-Nkansah,(Secreatry) at 302 893 7144 or Mr. Henry Domi (Asst Secretary) at 312 823 3742 or the visit our website www.ustalumni.com.