The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has called for a collective approach to addressing challenges confronting students, including mental health concerns, financial pressures, loneliness and career uncertainty.
The University said student well-being is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of all stakeholders to produce resilient, ethical and socially responsible graduates.
The call was made during the second edition of the Directorate of Student Affairs (DoSA) Day, held on the theme: “Promoting a Collective Stakeholder Commitment to Student Affairs.”
Speaking at the event, KNUST Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Asamoah, said universities must move beyond academic training and intentionally create environments that allow students to thrive.
He noted that while academic excellence remains a key priority, producing emotionally resilient and socially responsible graduates is equally important.
“It reminds us that student affairs is everyone’s responsibility. A great university is not measured solely by its infrastructure, research output or global rankings, but by the quality of graduates it produces,” he said.
Professor Asamoah observed that students today face a range of challenges, including mental health difficulties, financial pressures, loneliness, career uncertainty and distractions from the digital world.
He therefore encouraged students to take advantage of support systems provided by the Directorate of Student Affairs and seek help when necessary.
“Seek help whenever you need it. Do not suffer in silence. Participate actively in leadership programmes, student organisations, volunteer activities and mentorship opportunities,” he advised.
The Director of Student Affairs, Professor Marian Asantewah Nkansah, said the Directorate remains committed to supporting students throughout their university journey to ensure they have a fulfilling campus experience.
“Our goal is to help students become not just graduates, but well-rounded personalities who will carry our institution’s name forward and contribute meaningfully to nation building,” she said.
She explained that the DoSA Day initiative was introduced to showcase interventions by the Directorate and highlight its role in promoting student welfare.
“The DoSA Day initiative was instituted to showcase to the entire university community, especially to our students and stakeholders, the initiatives and interventions that we have put in place for our students’ well-being,” Professor Nkansah added.
Chairman of the DoSA Day Planning Committee, Professor Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, said the celebration provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and recognise efforts towards improving student support.
He stressed that student affairs should not be seen as the responsibility of only one department but a collective responsibility of the entire university community.
“Student affairs is not the responsibility of one directorate alone, but the shared responsibility of the entire university community and its stakeholders,” he said.
As part of the celebration, the Directorate honoured 40 former and current staff members for their contributions to student affairs at KNUST.
The awardees included former directors, deans, vice deans, administrative heads, hall masters, senior tutors and other staff whose dedication has helped shape student welfare and campus life at the University.
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