The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned the newly-inducted Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) against complacency in advancing academic excellence.

The Asantehene, who is Chancellor of KNUST, rather expects Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso to chart a new path that will move KNUST to the highest level.

Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso takes over as Vice Chancellor of the KNUST from Professor William Otoo Ellis, who served a six-year term.

He was the Provost of College of Science at the University before the new appointment.

At an induction ceremony, the chancellor of KNUST, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, described Professor Obiri-Danso as an astute leader with a track record of academic excellence.

Otumfuo implored the new Vice Chancellor not to be complacent in his leadership.

“This is not the time for revenge or complacency. This is the time to bring new ideas on board and work in unity with the staff of the university to raise the image of KNUST in a positive way”.

The immediate past Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis, entreated the university staff to give his successor the needed support to enable him deliver effectively.

Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso said his administration will give priority to female students, who want to read Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programmes.

“We shall give special priority to STEM for girls which, I admit, we have not done so well as at this stage of contributing to higher education. As an immediate measure, for this 2016/2017 academic year admissions, we will review the cut-off points for girls opting for programmes in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science and other STEM programmes where our statistics show low females patronage over the years”.

He noted that staff promotion and motivation systems of the university would be reviewed to provide an environment that will enable them give out their best.

Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso has served at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for 29 years. He will serve a term of 4 years in office as the Vice Chancellor.

By Ibrahim Abubakar|3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @3Newsgh