Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology receives global quality accreditation
| Date: | November 15 - 2024 |
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Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana has successfully completed its International Quality Review (IQR) and been awarded global quality accreditation by QAA.
IQR is a rigorous process which benchmarks global higher education institutions against international quality assurance standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).
The review visit was conducted on 10-12 July 2023 by three independent reviewers appointed by QAA. In July 2024, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology submitted additional evidence with reference to actions taken to address conditions determined by the initial stage of the review process. After considering this additional evidence, the review team confirmed that the University meets all 10 of the internal quality assurance standards in the ESG.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a public university that was established as the Kumasi College of Technology in 1951. It now has approximately 85,000 students and is situated on a self-contained campus of about eight square miles in the city of Kumasi. The University comprises six colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Art and Built Environment, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Science.
The review team found four examples of good practice and was able to make 16 recommendations for enhancement. These recommendations are of a desirable rather than essential nature and are proposed to enable the institution to build on existing practice which is operating satisfactorily but which could be improved or enhanced.
Overall, the team concluded that Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology meets all standards for International Quality Review.
QAA's review team identified the following areas of good practice at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology:
- The review of student profiles at both department and faculty levels, to ensure any students with failing profiles are identified and supported appropriately;
- The student orientation programme delivered for all students;
- The comprehensive support for academic progression of teaching staff;
- The holistic student services hub covering a comprehensive range of student support services.
Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson said: 'KNUST, subjecting itself to IQR by QAA for accreditation lays credence to our continuous commitment to academic excellence, rigour, innovation and the highest standards in science and technology education. This feat, thus, reinforces KNUST’s standing on the global stage and affirms our pledge to provide an exceptional educational environment, conducive to advance knowledge in science and technology in conducting relevant research, quality teaching, entrepreneurship training and community engagement to improve the quality of life.'
Piers Wall, QAA’s Head of International Quality Assurance and Enhancement, added: 'QAA is pleased to congratulate Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on its successful completion of our International Quality Review. We have very much enjoyed working with our colleagues in Ghana, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future.'
This IQR accreditation will be valid for five years, subject to a satisfactory mid-cycle review. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology can now display QAA’s IQR Accreditation Badge, showing that their quality assurance processes are comparable with international best practice.
By securing IQR accreditation from QAA, international institutions can clearly spotlight their quality standards internationally, and more easily start dialogues with institutions outside their own country.
You can read Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology's full IQR report on our website, where you can also find out more about the IQR process and QAA International Membership. If you are interested in your institution seeking accreditation or international membership, and wish to discuss this further, please contact the QAA Global team at accreditation@qaa.ac.uk.