The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), Ghana, recently hosted a significant visit from the Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programmes (AQAS). The visit, which took place from May 12 to May 16, 2024, was part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the standards of education and research at the Regional Transport Research & Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK).
The AQAS expert panel, consisting of Prof. Dr. Alex Apeagyei, Prof. Dr. Washington Ochieng, Ms Charléne Kouassi, Ms Maike Grünberg, and Patrick Heinzer (AQAS consultant), arrived in Accra on Sunday, May 12. The following day, they travelled to Kumasi, where they spent the afternoon preparing for the intensive days ahead.
On Tuesday, May 14, the panel began their formal interactions with a meeting involving senior management at KNUST to discuss the university's strategic direction and quality assurance processes. Key participants included Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, and Prof. Helen Essandoh, Director of TRECK. This session was also used to present the certificates of 5 postgraduate programmes that AQAS accredited under the KNUST Engineering Education Project (KEEP), an Africa Centre of Excellence. It is significant to note that AQAS has already accredited five (5) postgraduate programmes under the Regional Water, Environment and Sanitation Centre, Kumasi (RWESCK). The accreditation of the majority of postgraduate programmes at the College of Engineering indicates that our programmes meet world-class standards and the quality of the programmes are top-notch.
Following this, the panel delved into detailed discussions with the management team of TRECK, exploring the development of the programmes. The day concluded with a guided campus tour, giving the experts a first-hand experience at the facilities supporting the students and faculty.
The second day, May 15, focused on comprehensive discussions with all stakeholders of the TRECK programmes, focusing on intended learning outcomes, teaching methodologies, student assessments, and feedback mechanisms. Later in the day, the panel held a meeting with representatives from the labour market, discussing the employability of graduates and the effectiveness of industry collaborations.
In the feedback session, the experts commended TRECK's efforts and offered recommendations on areas of improvement. As the delegation departed, thanks were expressed for the fruitful engagement. The experience highlighted TRECK's ongoing commitment to excellence. Formal accreditation results will be announced in the coming months. The visit concluded with an official dinner, marking the end of a productive and insightful visit.
