KTU Global Alumni Presidential Address By Godsway Agbodo
Good day, esteemed members of the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association. It is my pleasure to address you today as the president of this great association.
As we gather here tonight, I am reminded of the immense privilege we have as alumni to be part of such a distinguished community of accomplished professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.
The purpose of my speech tonight is three-fold: firstly, to share with you some of the achievements we have made as an association in the recent past; secondly, to discuss some of the challenges we face as we strive to contribute to the development of our alma mater; and finally, to outline our strategic plan to help us achieve our goals and objectives.
As alumni, we have a crucial role to play in ensuring that Koforidua Technical University continues to thrive and deliver high-quality education and research to its students and the wider community. I look forward to engaging with you tonight as we reflect on our progress so far and chart a course for the future.
As part of our efforts to contribute to the growth and development of Koforidua Technical University, the Alumni Association has been actively engaged in a range of initiatives and programs aimed at promoting excellence, innovation, and social impact. One of our most notable achievements in recent times was the successful organization of the KTU at 25 Alumni Homecoming.
The Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association in recent times was the successful organization of the KTU at 25 Alumni Homecoming. This event was held on February 22, 2023, and brought together alumni from all over the world to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the university’s establishment.
The highlight of the event was a public lecture on the theme “Bridging the gap between academia and industry.” The lecture was delivered by a panel of distinguished speakers, including Prof. Prince Boateng, the Dean of the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment at KTU; Mr. Richmond Asumadu, the CEO of Brich Limited; Dr. Robert Tay, and Mr. Sam Yaw Oteng. The speakers shared their insights on how academia and industry can work together to drive innovation, promote sustainable development, and create job opportunities for the youth.
We were also honoured to have the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, as our special guest of honour. His presence was a testament to the importance of KTU in the development of the region and the country at large.
Overall, the KTU at 25 Alumni Homecoming was a great success, and we are proud of the contribution we made to strengthen the bond between the university and its alumni. It was also an opportunity for us to showcase the diverse talents and achievements of our alumni, and we look forward to more such events in the future.
In addition to the public lecture, we also organized a health screening program as part of the KTU at 25 Alumni Homecoming. This program aimed to promote health awareness and disease prevention among our alumni and the wider community.
I am pleased to report that the health screening program was a resounding success, with over 500 participants being screened for various health conditions. Participants were offered free medical check-ups, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, cholesterol checks, and HIV/AIDS screening.
In collaboration with the university’s health centre, we were able to provide medication and treatment for those who required it. This was a critical aspect of the program, as it allowed us to address some of the health challenges facing our community, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the health screening program was a testament to the commitment of the Alumni Association to the welfare and well-being of our members and the wider community. We are proud to have been able to make a positive impact in this way and hope to continue to do so in the future.
Another significant achievement of the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association was our successful intervention in the registration process for students.
As you may be aware, the university had closed registration for the academic year due to various challenges, leaving many students stranded and unable to register for their courses. However, through our relentless deliberations and engagement with the university administration, we were able to secure a solution that allowed over 2,000 students to register and continue with their studies.
This was a crucial intervention, as it ensured that the affected students did not miss out on their education and were able to progress with their academic pursuits. It also demonstrated the effectiveness of our advocacy efforts and our commitment to supporting the development and success of Koforidua Technical University.
As an association, we remain committed to advocating for the needs and interests of our members and the wider community, and we will continue to work towards achieving our goals and objectives through strategic partnerships and collaborations.
The Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association has also been instrumental in negotiating with the university management to hold graduation ceremonies earlier than the usual schedule.
We recognized the importance of timely graduation for our alumni, as it not only enhances their competitiveness in the job market but also helps to avoid the risk of stagnation in their academic pursuits. As such, we engaged with the university administration and proposed a new graduation timeline that would enable our alumni to graduate earlier.
Through our discussions and negotiations, we were able to secure the agreement of the university management to adjust the graduation timeline accordingly. As a result, many of our alumni have been able to graduate earlier than the traditional schedule, allowing them to move on to the next phase of their lives with greater ease and confidence.
This achievement is a testament to our commitment to supporting the professional growth and development of our members, and we are proud to have been able to make a positive impact in this way.
While we are proud of the progress and successes we have achieved in recent years, we also recognize that there are challenges that we must continue to address and overcome in order to realize our vision of a thriving and impactful Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association.
CHALLENGES.
One of the key challenges that the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association has faced is financial constraints resulting from the lack of timely payment of dues by members.
While we understand that many of our members are facing financial pressures of their own, we must emphasize the importance of paying dues as a means of supporting the association and enabling us to continue our work in support of the university and the wider community.
Paying dues provides critical financial resources that allow us to organize events, programs, and initiatives that benefit our members and the community at large. It also helps us to maintain our operations and infrastructure, such as our website, communication channels, and office facilities.
However, the challenges of non-payment of dues are significant. When members do not pay their dues, it creates a strain on the association’s finances and limits our ability to carry out our activities effectively. This can lead to missed opportunities, delayed or cancelled programs, and a diminished impact on our mission and objectives.
We understand that paying dues may not always be easy, but we encourage all members to recognize the benefits of doing so and to make a concerted effort to contribute to the success and sustainability of the association. With your support, we can overcome this challenge and continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our members and the community.
In addition to financial constraints, another challenge that the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association has faced is a lack of commitment and engagement from some of our members.
We understand that our members have various demands on their time and resources, and that it may not always be possible for everyone to engage with the association at the same level. However, we have observed that a significant number of our members have been less active and engaged than we would like, which has had a stifling effect on our efforts to achieve our goals.
When members do not participate actively in the association’s activities and initiatives, it limits our capacity to deliver on our mandate and creates a gap in our ability to represent the interests of our members and the wider community effectively. It also puts pressure on the dedicated and committed members who do participate actively, who may feel overburdened and unsupported.
We believe that the success of the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association depends on the active participation and engagement of all our members. When everyone plays their part, we can achieve our shared objectives and make a meaningful impact in the lives of our members and the community.
We encourage all our members to consider how they can contribute to the association’s work, whether by attending events, volunteering their time and skills, providing financial support, or simply sharing their ideas and feedback. Every contribution count, and we welcome and value the input of all our members as we work together to build a strong and vibrant alumni community.
While we recognize that setting up and running regional chapters can be a complex and time-consuming process, we also believe that having active and engaged chapters in different regions is essential to achieving our mission and objectives. Regional chapters can serve as a hub for alumni activities and engagement, provide local support to members, and promote the interests of the association in different parts of the country.
However, despite our efforts to establish and support regional chapters, we have encountered various challenges that have slowed down the process. These challenges include a lack of resources, difficulties in coordinating with local authorities and stakeholders, and a lack of interest or commitment from some potential chapter leaders and members.
We are committed to overcoming these challenges and accelerating the pace of regional chapter setup and operations. We believe that by working closely with our members, partners, and stakeholders, we can identify and address the barriers to regional chapter establishment and create a more robust and dynamic network of alumni chapters across the country.
Despite the challenges we have faced, we remain committed to our mission and objectives, and are actively working on a strategic plan to guide our efforts going forward.
As we look to the future, the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association has identified several strategic projects and initiatives that we believe will help us to achieve our mission and objectives. One of these projects is the Student Hostel project, which aims to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for students who come from far distances to study at the university.
The lack of affordable and suitable accommodation near campus has been a challenge for many students, and we believe that the Alumni Hostel project will go a long way in addressing this problem. Additionally, this project will not only benefit our members but also generate revenue for the association and contribute to the development of the university.
Many students come from far distances to study at the university, and finding suitable accommodation near campus can be challenging and expensive. This can lead to a number of problems for students, including long commutes to and from campus, difficulty in accessing academic resources, and increased stress and financial burden.
Furthermore, the lack of affordable and suitable accommodation can also impact the academic performance and well-being of students. Students who are unable to find suitable accommodation may have to deal with overcrowding, poor living conditions, and safety concerns. This can affect their ability to focus on their studies and may lead to mental health problems and other negative outcomes.
Therefore, the Alumni Hostel project is an important initiative that aims to address this problem and provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for students. By providing hostel accommodation for students, we can help to reduce the financial burden and stress that students face in finding suitable accommodation. We believe that this project will not only benefit our members but also contribute to the overall development and success of the university by improving the academic performance and well-being of students.
The establishment of an office and the creation of more awareness and visibility for the association are important aspects of our strategic plan. With an office, we will have a central location where members can go to access information, seek assistance, and engage with the association. This will also provide a space for us to hold meetings, plan events, and carry out other activities that will benefit our members and the university.
In addition to the office, we also plan to create more awareness and visibility for the association. We believe that this is important in order to promote our activities and achievements, and to engage with stakeholders such as the university administration, government agencies, and industry partners. By increasing our visibility, we can also attract more members and volunteers who can help us to achieve our goals and contribute to the success of the university.
To achieve this, we plan to use a variety of communication channels, including social media, email newsletters, and traditional media such as newspapers and radio. We also plan to organize events and activities that will showcase the achievements of our members and promote the benefits of being part of the association. Ultimately, we believe that by establishing a strong physical and online presence, we can better serve our members, promote the interests of the university, and contribute to the development of our community.
In conclusion, I would like to encourage all members of the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association to continue to support the association’s efforts to promote the interests of the university and to serve our community. We have achieved a lot in the past year, and I am confident that we can achieve even more in the future.
While we face some challenges, such as financial constraints and low member commitment, I believe that by working together and staying focused on our goals, we can overcome these challenges and make a positive impact. Our strategic plan, which includes projects such as the Alumni Hostel, the establishment of an office, and increased awareness and visibility for the association, provides a clear roadmap for the future.
As alumni of this great institution, we have a responsibility to give back and to support the next generation of students who will follow in our footsteps. I urge you all to continue to be active and engaged members of the association, to pay your dues, and to volunteer your time and talents to help us achieve our goals.
Together, we can make a difference and help to ensure that the Koforidua Technical University Alumni Association continues to be a force for positive change in our community. Thank you.
