Kumasi, Feb. 24, GNA – Authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), have resolved to use all practicable and workable mechanisms to ensure that the university attains 40 percent admission of female students in the next eight years.
Professor Kwesi Andam, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST who disclosed this said, in line with the university’s resolve, all the 53 programmes being offered KNUST, were made to raise their admissions for female students by four percent from last year, and that this would continue to be the case until the eight-year target is met.
Professor Andam made the disclosure when he addressed the opening of a day’s workshop organized by female Lecturers of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the KNUST in Kumasi on Thursday, for female students offering science-based programmes at the university. The workshop, which was sponsored by the Forum for African Women Educationists (FAWE), was attended by about 500 female students pursuing science based programmes at the KNUST.
It was aimed at complimenting government efforts in promoting female students and pupils participation in science, mathematics and technology programmes.
Professor Andam entreated female students to ignore the discriminations and prejudices against them in various fields of endeavour and strive taking to the study of the sciences, not only at the first degree level, but beyond that.
Mrs. Harriette Amissah-Arthur, Director of the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment, an NGO, disagreed with the notion that students reading science programmes do not need much of the Enlish language nor do they need to read as much as those doing the Liberal Arts.
Her topic was: “Ladies in science-Prospects outside Academia” She said contrary to such beliefs, science transcends all subjects and study programmes, and for that matter it was crucial that science students should be well-vest in the English language and also read a lot. Mrs. Amissah-Arthur said it was equally misleading for any one to assume that those pursuing Arts programmes do not need mathematics, and advised female students to strive to be all-round with an affection for all subjects.
Professor (Mrs) Esi Awuah, Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering of KNUST, called for a dress code on campus.
Source: GhanaWeb
