Picture: A section of staff and students at the launch
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) Ing. Prof. Nana Osei-Wusu Achaw has charged all staff of the University to work hard to enhance the already existing good relationship between staff and students of KsTU.
Launching the project dubbed “The Student Matters Most” the CEO of the University reiterated the fact that business organisations more often try as much as possible to satisfy their customers. By the same token, he charged both teaching and non-teaching staff to hold the students of the University in a very high esteem, not only to satisfy them but also, delight them.
In his opening remarks, Ing Prof. Achaw emphasised that the University exists because of the students thus, the student is our most important customer. He advised staff to treat the students with utmost care. “It is elementary to see that we can get more students coming to our University if they feel comfortable and happy here” he added.
The VC further disclosed that the project dubbed “The Student Matters Most” is to solicit the cooperation of all actors in this great University to create a welcoming environment that will enable the students to have the best university experience which will encourage them to thrive at their best.
Ms. Felicia Ofosuaa Tettey who is a Deputy Director at the Guidance and Counselling Unit delivered the purpose of the gathering and stated that the programme “The Student Matters Most” was the first of its kind organised by the Unit in a bid to curb the challenges most students and staff face in one way or the other on campus. She said occasionally, some form of frustrations, harassment, abuse among other forms of abuses from staff towards students and vice-versa are experienced on campus.
Ms. Ofosuaa on why “The Student Matters Most” echoed that students are vulnerable and their ignorance make them fall for anything as they go through university life and its daunting inadequacies. In addition to addressing how to standardise the relationship between the staff and the students, she suggested a rollout of periodic orientations to sharpen students’ skills in good communication, effective time management and psycho-social insights so as to ensure the needed balance. She also encouraged both staff and students to report all forms of harassment and embarrassment to the right offices for appropriate actions.
The Director of IRID, Dr. Smart Sarpong used the occasion to share some ideas with both staff and students on the various ways to enhance the relationship between staff and students. Highlighting the University’s structures and channels of communication, the Registrar, Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Boakye advised the freshers to respect the structures and report their issues of concern.