KNUST College of Health Sciences Sees More Female Graduates in 2022/2023 Academic Year

KUMASI, Ghana — The College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has reported an increase in the enrolment and graduation of female healthcare practitioners. In the 2022/2023 academic year, the college saw a significant number of female graduates, with 790 females representing 53.4 percent of the total 1,479 graduates.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Provost of the College, this trend of increasing female graduates is expected to continue, reflecting the current admission statistics. During the 57th congregation of KNUST held over the weekend, Prof. Agyare provided a breakdown of the graduating class, which included 368 Doctor of Pharmacy students, 211 Medicine students (Bachelor of Medicine and of Surgery), 35 Dental students, and 24 Veterinary Medicine students.

Prof. Agyare commended the students for their commitment to pursuing challenging and vital courses in healthcare. The graduates also include those from four-year programs in general nursing, midwifery, medical laboratory technology, imaging sonography, and radiology.

The College, under Prof. Agyare’s leadership, has been focused on training health professionals and researchers not only for Ghana but also for the global community. This commitment has resulted in considerable achievements, especially in the realm of research and grants. The Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR) has been a key player in health research in Ghana, addressing scientific topics of both national and international relevance.

The College has attracted significant research funding, with $3.6 million in grants in the year under review alone. It currently oversees more than 40 ongoing grant projects, making it the highest in KNUST, with various faculty members leading these initiatives. This contribution to research led to the College being recognized as the best research College at the 2023 KNUST Research Excellence Awards.

Dr. Darius Osei, the immediate past Chief Executive of the University of Ghana Medical Center, addressed the young graduates, advising them to embrace selflessness and teamwork in their professional endeavors. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with medical advancements to ensure the highest standards of patient care and medical practice.