The College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched an endowment fund.

The KNUST College of Engineering Endowment Fund will enable the College to become an international centre of excellence in engineering education.

The fund seeks to raise 50 million Ghana Cedis (GHȻ50,000,000) within the next five years. 

It will help produce high-calibre graduates with knowledge and expertise to support national and regional growth.

The College currently runs 18 Undergraduate and over 30 Postgraduate Programmes under three faculties: the Faculties of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil and Geo-Engineering and Mechanical and Chemical Engineering. The College also hosts the three World Bank Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) for Development Impact.

Provost of the College of Engineering, Prof. Mark Adom-Asamoah noted that his outfit has made notable strides in infrastructure, and innovations which have trained a skilled workforce who are contributing their quota to national and global development.

The endowment fund will specifically aim to improve the quality of postgraduate programmes, expand access to postgraduate programmes, provide scholarships to attract brilliant students and improve infrastructure to support teaching and learning.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum commended authorities of the College and pledged government's support.

He charged them to continue working hard to produce transformational leaders for the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Emmanuel Antwi Darkwah was happy the Fund will be critical in tackling the College's needs.

"The establishment of the KNUST College of Engineering Endowment Fund is timely as it would support the provision of additional resources to enable the College to deliver its mandate," he said.

Ing. Darkwah on behalf of the VRA committed to annually donate to the Fund.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo called on benevolent individuals and corporate institutions to support the growth of the Fund.

He promised Management’s accountability and transparency in managing the Fund.

Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko of the Department of Civil Engineering seized the opportunity to appreciate alumni and institutions who have contributed to the Fund.

These include; Honourable Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education (GHȻ50,000), Ing Christian Nti, CEO Ghana Highway Authority (GHȻ50,000), Anonymous ($50,000 USD), ASIB Construction Ltd (GHȻ60,000), Associated Consultants Limited (GHȻ300,000), College of Engineering, KNUST (GHȻ50,000), Ghana Institution of Engineering (GHȻ100,000).

Others are; Ghana Grid Company (GHȻ500,000), Ghana Highway Authority (GHȻ20,000), Ghana Electricity Company of Ghana (GHȻ150,000), ASIB Limited (GHȻ30,000), and Ghana National Gas Company (GHȻ500,000).