Over 700 students of some selected second-cycle schools in the Ashanti region have been taken through guidance and mentorship to enhance tertiary program awareness at the College of Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).  

The intervention aims to bridge the knowledge gap and help prospective university students make informed decisions about their academic paths.

This will reduce the struggle and confusion they often encounter in the later years of their university education.

Fourteen second cycle schools across the Ashanti region, have been engaged in an Open day organised by the College of Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

It has emerged that several university students offer academic programs that are not entirely in tune with them.

Whilst others, find the relevancy of the programs they offer later in their academic journey which hampers their ability to excel to their fullest.

To be able to fully tap into the positive opportunities with programs in the university, the Open Day by the College of Science seeks to enlighten prospective students in science and keep them informed of details of programs in sync with their interests.

Dean, Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences, Professor Osei Akoto says students will appreciate the choices they make upon admission.

He indicated that KNUST presents many on-ground programs that suit real-world interests. 

“We have observed that when admitted into the university, they are oblivious to their own choices of programs. And by the time they realise the importance of those programs, they may be in their third year or fourth year where they will struggle to meet their score averages.

“It may be late then. If they know and get the interest as early as possible, then coming into the university will make it easier for them to appreciate their courses,” he said. 

The students were taken on tour at the state-of-the-art laboratories, research facilities, and academic departments of the College of Science.

The chairman of the committee, Prof. Reuben Yao Tamakloe, says the brain behind the event is to secure students' academic future. 

“The initial plan was ten schools until the essence of it was felt and it was increased to fourteen. The idea is to open their eyes to the future. And let them decide their future now in an instructive way,” he said. 

Beneficiaries of the open day, expressed their excitement as they indicated that the event would influence their academic decisions. 

“I've learnt that science is not always about medicine. We have been to the Department of Physics and have been open to the many courses there.

"And seeing the things students of KNUST in this department have done, I am sure I will choose one of these courses,” Yasmin Ibrahim from Ejisuman SHS said.

“It was exciting at the optometry lab. And I find it intriguing,” Takyiwaa from Adu Gyamfi SHS said.

Meanwhile, the College of Science Student Association president, Written-Right Ohene, lauded the college leadership for the innovative intervention. 

“Seeing these students around, and their excitement, I am sure of how successful this has been. And I believe it will be beneficial to these students. This is to appreciate the brains behind this event,” he said.