His Majesty King Mswati III, accompanied by HRH Inkhosikati LaMagongo, gifted each emaSwati student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) $1,000.
The gesture underscores the deep bond between Eswatini and its students abroad as the royals toured the tertiary educational facility in Kumasi.
The benevolent act, which brought visible joy among the students pursuing higher education far from home, took place during the King’s tour of the university on Friday, June 27, 2025.
King Mswati III’s visit to KNUST was part of his broader engagement in Ghana, which included a grand banquet hosted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Friday evening.
Before the generous financial gift, the Monarch and his wife joined the emaSwati students in an emotional meeting at the university.
His Majesty expressed immense gratitude for the positive report he had received from the KNUST Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson about the conduct and academic seriousness of the 10 emaSwati students currently enrolled at the institution.
Addressing the students directly, King Mswati III lauded their dedication, stating, “We would like to encourage you to work hard and be good ambassadors for other emaSwati students who would like to come and study in this big university, which has a number of faculties.”
He emphasised that their diligence continued to bring a good name to Eswatini.
The King also revealed that his discussions with the Vice Chancellor had provided him with insights into the diverse programmes offered at KNUST and the expertise of its lecturers.
He encouraged the students to maximise their learning, with the ultimate goal of contributing significantly to their homeland’s development.
“I hope you benefit a lot so that, by the time you finish your studies, you can come back home and add value to our development and nation building,” he charged them.
Highlighting their crucial role as a link between the two nations and institutions, King Mswati III added, “You will now be that link between us and the university. I would like to wish you the best in your studies and encourage you to continue to be good ambassadors. From your introductions, I could still see that you still show good respect, which is something we pride ourselves on, as emaSwati.”
The King’s visit to KNUST included a tour of the Opoku Ware II Museum and the E-Learning Centre, showcasing the university’s facilities.
King Mswati III is scheduled to return to KNUST on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to join Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in witnessing the final day of the university’s ongoing graduation ceremony, which spans several days due to the large student body.
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