Help is at hand: An insider view into meeting student needs

Established in 1997, the Directorate of Student Affairs (formerly the Office of the Dean of Students) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana has made significant progress in meeting the specific needs of its students.

KNUST Director of Communications Daniel Norris Bekoe shared with Francis Kokutse some insights into the priorities of the directorate that underpin its success.

UWN: What has been the impact of the directorate at KNUST?

DNB: The directorate was formally established in 1997 to provide the necessary welfare support services for students during their period of study at KNUST. Over the years, the directorate has sought to fulfil its mission by assisting students to understand in both specific and general terms how the university operates at both social and academic levels.

The directorate provides opportunities for students to develop and enhance their leadership skills by involving them in decision-making processes, supporting advocacy for students, and providing and involving them in conflict resolution techniques.

UWN: What kind of support is provided by the directorate?

DNB: The directorate has provided comprehensive support services including counselling, academic advising, accommodation provision, health services, career guidance and the general fostering of student well-being and success.

Additionally, it has enhanced student engagement by organising events and extracurricular activities, promoting social integration and leadership development. Moreover, the directorate has played a vital role in conflict resolution, advocating for student interests, and facilitating leadership development through training and mentorship programmes, ultimately contributing to a harmonious campus environment and broader community.

UWN: Given your experience, what is the state of student affairs in Ghana’s tertiary institutions generally?

DNB: Many tertiary institutions in Ghana face challenges due to limited resources, including funding, staff and facilities. This impacts the quality and availability of student support services. While some universities have robust student affairs departments offering counselling and career guidance, others lack adequate infrastructure and personnel to meet students’ diverse needs.

Despite efforts to promote student engagement through clubs and extracurricular activities, some institutions struggle to foster active participation and create a vibrant campus community.

Additionally, there are gaps in mental health support services and awareness campaigns, and students may feel marginalised in university decision-making processes, leading to dissatisfaction and disengagement.

UWN: What do you think can improve the situation?

DNB: Tertiary institutions should prioritise investment in resources for student affairs departments to improve support services, facilities and staff training. Strategies for promoting student engagement include providing leadership opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging.

Additionally, there’s a need for enhanced mental health support through counselling, awareness campaigns and staff training. Student representation in decision-making processes should be strengthened, and collaboration with other institutions and external organisations can help share resources and best practices in student affairs services.

UWN: Do students make use of the student affairs directorate?

DNB: Yes, they do. Some of those services include counselling, emotional support, accommodation issues and scholarship support systems.

UWN: How can they be involved even further?

DNB: At KNUST, our governance structure epitomises democratic principles, ensuring robust student involvement across all spheres of university governance. This is facilitated through the Student Representative Council (SRC) for undergraduates and the Graduate Students’ Association (GRASAG) for postgraduates. These bodies serve as channels through which student voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes.

Furthermore, at the collegiate and faculty levels, elected student leaders assume roles of responsibility to oversee the operations of various groups within the university community. This multi-tiered approach to student leadership fosters inclusivity, representation and active participation, enriching the overall collegiate experience and promoting a sense of ownership among students.

UWN: A recent study in Nigeria said some students have become suicidal because of stress. Is there a similar situation at KNUST?

DNB: It is common that numerous adolescents across tertiary institutions and students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) confront diverse challenges. Nevertheless, proactive measures are in place to address these challenges.

Through robust counselling, spiritual guidance, and other support mechanisms, we endeavour to mitigate the impact of emotional and psychological difficulties experienced by our student body.

UWN: What kind of assistance is available to students going through various forms of stress?

DNB: The university is equipped with a dedicated counselling centre serving as an essential resource for students by providing professional counselling services to bolster mental health and well-being. Manned by proficient counsellors, the centre fosters a confidential and empathetic environment where students can address a spectrum of personal, academic and emotional hurdles encountered throughout their academic journey.

Whether grappling with stress, anxiety, depression, academic hurdles, or interpersonal conflicts, students have access to tailored solutions through individual counselling sessions, group therapy, workshops, and an array of supplementary resources.

The centre orchestrates psycho-educational workshops, innovative counselling short courses, and an annual Emotional Health Awareness Week to fortify emotional resilience among students. Notably, the inclusion of peer counsellors – trained students – augments the support network, enhancing accessibility and rapport among peers.

Moreover, the strategic placement of counsellors across the university’s six colleges ensures prompt and effective assistance at students’ fingertips.

Beyond mental health support, the university’s commitment to inclusivity is evident through various scholarship initiatives. Among these, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program stands out, offering comprehensive scholarships to academically outstanding yet financially disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities.

Additionally, the university has invested in dedicated transportation services, ensuring seamless mobility for disabled students between their hostels and lecture halls, available at their convenience.

In essence, the university’s holistic approach to student welfare, encompassing mental health support and inclusive scholarship programmes, underscores its dedication to fostering a conducive learning environment where every student can thrive, irrespective of their background or challenges they may face.

UWN: Academic work can be demanding on students. What has KNUST put in place to ensure that academic work does not overwhelm students?

DNB: To mitigate the effects of academic pressure on students, KNUST implements various measures aimed at promoting mental well-being, fostering a supportive environment, and facilitating academic success. Here are some strategies:

• The university launched campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. It provides resources such as counselling services, helplines, and mental health workshops.

• We have established on-campus counselling centres staffed with trained professionals who can provide confidential support to students dealing with academic stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns.

• We have developed peer mentoring or peer counselling programmes whereby experienced students can provide guidance, support and encouragement to their peers facing academic challenges.

• We organise workshops or seminars to help students improve their time management skills, prioritise tasks and balance academic responsibilities with other aspects of their lives.

• There are academic support resources such as tutoring, study groups, writing centres and academic advising to assist students in understanding course materials and improve their academic performance. There are flexible learning options such as online courses, part-time study arrangements, or flexible deadlines to accommodate students with diverse needs and circumstances.

• We encourage students to engage in extracurricular activities, hobbies and social events to help them relax, recharge, and maintain a healthy work-life balance and review curriculum requirements and course workload to ensure that they are manageable and realistic.

• We implement policies such as limits on the number of courses students can take simultaneously or provide options for course substitutions, and

• There are alternative assessment methods such as project-based assessments, presentations, or portfolios that allow students to demonstrate their understanding and skills in ways other than traditional exams.

UWN: What checks are in place to prevent male lecturers from taking advantage of female students?

DNB: KNUST’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy Statement affirms the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment in which all individuals are shielded from intimidation, exploitation and abuse. This policy is a firm stance against all manifestations of sexual harassment and abuse, unequivocally communicating a zero-tolerance approach towards any behaviour within the university that may be interpreted as such.

This commitment extends to all members of the university community, including students, faculty, staff and visitors. The university is dedicated to cultivating a culture of respect, dignity and equality, where every individual’s rights are safeguarded and upheld without compromise.

Through the implementation and enforcement of this policy, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, endeavours to create an atmosphere conducive to learning, research, and personal growth, free from the detrimental effects of sexual harassment and abuse.