By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
The newly inducted Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Christian Agyare, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at positioning the university as a globally recognised centre of excellence driven by innovation, research, entrepreneurship and technology.
Professor Agyare outlined his vision during his investiture as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of KNUST at a colourful ceremony held at the Great Hall of the university on Saturday. The ceremony was chaired by the Chancellor of KNUST and Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and attended by Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah who represented the President of the Republic, members of the University Council, traditional leaders, Vice-Chancellors from sister universities, government officials, the diplomatic corps, alumni, clergy, security chiefs, students and other distinguished guests.
He succeeds Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, whose five-year tenure witnessed significant gains in infrastructure, research, digitalisation and the internationalisation of the university. A renowned pharmaceutical scientist, academic and researcher, Professor Agyare brings to the office decades of experience in higher education, research, academic leadership and pharmaceutical sciences, having served in several senior management and administrative roles at KNUST before his appointment.
Delivering his inaugural address, Professor Agyare said his administration would build on the university’s rich legacy while pursuing a transformative agenda that moves KNUST “from excellence to eminence.”
“I stand here not to begin a new journey, but to build upon this proud legacy; to preserve the excellence we have inherited, to deepen our impact, and to lead this great University to even greater heights of eminence and global distinction,” he declared.
The new Vice-Chancellor said his vision is to strengthen KNUST’s global standing by harnessing the collective strengths of students, staff, alumni and strategic partners to drive impactful research, innovation and teaching that supports Ghana’s industrial and socio-economic development.
“My vision is to deepen KNUST’s stature as a globally recognised Centre of Excellence… My mission is to pursue eminence in research, innovation, teaching, and institutional stewardship through adaptive governance, sustainable resource management, strategic partnerships, inclusivity and technology-driven transformation,” he said.
To achieve this vision, Professor Agyare announced seven strategic priorities that will define his four-year tenure. These include transforming education through innovation and organisational mindset change, advancing entrepreneurship by integrating research with industry, strengthening quality management and human capital development, investing in sustainable infrastructure, embracing artificial intelligence across university operations, expanding global partnerships, and improving financial sustainability.
A major pillar of his agenda is the integration of Artificial Intelligence into every aspect of the university’s operations. According to him, KNUST must lead the digital transformation of higher education rather than follow global trends.
“The question before us is not whether KNUST will engage with AI, but whether we will lead or be led,” he stated, adding that intelligent technologies would be deployed to improve admissions, budgeting, staff recruitment and other institutional processes.
Professor Agyare also pledged to reimagine academic programmes to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also entrepreneurial and capable of creating jobs.
“We will reimagine our curricula… to produce graduates who do not simply seek employment but create them. Graduates who are not only academically distinguished, but commercially astute and socially responsive,” he said.
On governance, he promised a culture anchored on accountability, collaboration and performance, while committing to revitalising KNUST’s collegiate system through decentralisation and stronger monitoring mechanisms.
“We will embed a genuine culture of performance and accountability. Every member of KNUST understands that eminence is not an aspiration; it is an expectation,” he stressed.
Concluding his address, Professor Agyare called on every member of the university community to embrace a shared responsibility in advancing KNUST’s mission.
“Together, we will move from excellence to eminence, from promise to impact, and from aspiration to transformation… Together, we shall rise! Together, we shall excel! Together, we shall shape the future with our legacies,” he said.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026
