The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has called for a collective approach to addressing growing challenges facing students, including mental health concerns, financial pressures, loneliness and career uncertainty, saying student well-being is a shared responsibility essential to producing resilient 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 go beyond academic instruction to create environments that enable students to thrive intentionally.
He noted that while academic excellence remains central to the University’s mission, producing ethically grounded, 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.
According to him, today’s students face unprecedented challenges, including mental health concerns, financial pressures, loneliness, career uncertainty and the distractions of an increasingly digital world.
Professor Asamoah urged students to make use of the support systems available through the Directorate of Student Affairs.
“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.
Director of Student Affairs, Professor Marian Asantewah Nkansah, said the Directorate exists to support students throughout their university journey to ensure they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding 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 DoSA Day was introduced to highlight the Directorate’s interventions and deepen appreciation of its role in promoting students’ 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 said.
Chairman of the DoSA Day Planning Committee, Professor Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, described the celebration as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders while recognising excellence in student support.
He encouraged participants to actively engage in the day’s activities, build partnerships and familiarise themselves with the range of support services available to students.
“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 outstanding 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 life and welfare at the University.
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