Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, has urged staff of the university to make use of an integrated and coordinated approach in implementing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their work.

According to her, the approach will contribute to the University’s mandate of providing quality education.

Prof Dickson made this revelation at the University’s 9th Summer School dubbed: “SDGs and Universities: Actions Towards KNUST’s Mandate at 70 and Beyond”.

Over the years, KNUST has experienced a gap in implementing the sustainable development goals.

“I am very hopeful and positive we are going to have a very engaging summer school which will provide clear directions and actions we must continue to take towards the attainment of each of the 17 SDGs.

“This is definitely not a time to be complacent. Ladies and Gentlemen, I therefore urge all of us to be honest with our submissions providing useful alternatives leading to working solutions for the attainment of the SDGs”.
Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson

Implementation of SDGs

On his part, Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo, explained that the university has implemented some of the SDGs. That notwithstanding, he revealed that an all-inclusive approach will improve teaching, research, and service delivery at KNUST.

“A little over 64% of the research that we do in this institution is with partner institutions in the Global South and the North.

“Directly as an institution SDG 4, quality education, is something that we look at. As KNUST, we have a benchmark of ensuring quality permeates all that we do.

“One of our core values as KNUST is to ensure there is inclusiveness and diversity. There’s no discrimination neither do we put hurdles in the ways of people”.
Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo

Following this, Prof. Aloys Misago, a representative from the University of Burundi, charged staff to collaborate with institutions from other economies to help in achieving the SDGs.

“We have to strengthen the ties between the North and the South. Sometimes, when we think of partnership, we go north.

“We have to also strengthen the ties between universities in the South. That is, a step which I preferred so much. We can learn a lot from each other”.
Prof. Aloys Misago

Collaboration essential in attaining SDGs

Meanwhile, Executive Director of Clean Africa, Mrs. Matilda Freda Marful, advised staff of the University to stay committed in this collective quest towards the attainment of the SDGs.

“The Academia should see each and every one of them that their actions count.

“Is not up to only the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, Heads of Department; each and every lecturer and professor can do something to contribute to the sustainability of the SDGs”.
Mrs. Matilda Freda Marful

The Summer School started in 2011 to increase the skills and knowledge of staff for productivity and excellence.

Essentially, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

The 17 SDGs are integrated and by this, they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others. As such, development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Through the pledge to Leave No One Behind, countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind first.