UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy To Ghana Baroness Kate Hoey Visits KNUST

As part of her working tour to Ghana, Baroness Kate Hoey, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, paid a courtesy call on Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

On Wednesday, February 25th, 2022, the Vice-Chancellor and several members of the University Management welcomed her to the Council Chamber.

In her remarks, Baroness Hoey congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on becoming KNUST’s first female Vice-Chancellor. ‘Having a female Vice-Chancellor who will push and inspire more women is significant.’ She stated, “There aren’t many in the UK; I could only count three.”

Following her appointment six months ago, she revealed that the visit to KNUST forms part of her first working visit to the Ashanti Region. She recounted her previous experience with KNUST in 1972 when she participated in the Commonwealth Students’ Conference. She praised the University for how it has evolved for the past years, with its successes chalked.

‘The University has a great history and a wonderful name. I really want to explore more ways of cooperation in terms of education, other available opportunities, revive and strengthen existing ones.’

The Country Director of the Department of International Trade in Ghana, Miss Lindsay Gilbert Crouch stated that the UK and Ghana have a strong history and are keen on continuing to build on that. She, however, expressed her concern about the few women on several scholarship programmes, such as the Chevening scholarship. She then proposed to discuss ways to increase female enrolment on the various scholarship opportunities in the UK.

As a beneficiary of UK Scholarships, the Vice-Chancellor appreciated the UK government for the opportunities. She reassured the delegation of KNUST’s commitment to work assiduously to improve the existing collaborations and forge new ones.

On the issue of global unemployment, Professor (Mrs.) Dickson outlined some initiatives the University has taken to help resolve such a trend, which includes creating more avenues for hands-on training for students to acquire entrepreneurial skills. She called on them to offer internships for students to have more industrial exposure in the UK.

The Vice-Chancellor addressed how the University has been able to increase female enrolment in KNUST; admitting more females from less-endowed schools in Ghana and partnering with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to ensure the award of comprehensive scholarships to 1,050 young females between 2020 and 2029.

The Registrar, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng entreated the delegation to provide staff training opportunities to equip staff with the necessary skills to ensure the smooth running of the University.