SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT KNUST SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND LEARNING.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT KNUST SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND LEARNING.

Exactly a week before the week-long KSB 20th Anniversary celebrations began, a group of seven students from Southern University, A&M College, Louisiana, USA, visited the KNUST School of Business (KSB) as part of their two-week stay in Ghana. Their four-day engagement with KSB was marked by a blend of academic enrichment, cultural exchange, and collaborative discussions aimed at strengthening global academic ties.

On 21st May, 2025, the KNUST School of Business (KSB) warmly welcomed a delegation from Southern University, A&M College, Louisiana, comprising five postgraduate students and two undergraduate students, accompanied by their Dean of students, HODs, faculty members(lecturers), lawyers, dietitians, among other staff. The visiting group was received by KSB faculty members and student leaders, who were committed to ensuring that the experience would be not only educational but also memorable.

 

The first day began with a classroom session that introduced the students to the academic structure and culture of KSB. This was followed by a guided tour of the school’s facilities. From their observations and engagement during both the session and the tour, it was clear that the visitors were impressed, particularly by the scale and quality of the infrastructure. Many were amazed to learn that the smallest auditorium at KSB was larger than some of the lecture spaces at their home institution.

Additionally, the postgraduate students expressed fascination with KSB’s multiple study streams; the full-time, part-time, and weekend programmes, which were new concepts to them. While the students toured and interacted with the KSB infrastructure and students, their staff and other members of the delegate paid a visit to the Asokore-Mampong Municipality in an insightful attempt to understand the dynamic atmosphere of the business sector in Kumasi, particulalry in the Asokore-Mampong Municipality. They met the MCE, Honorable Ben Abdallah and other important staff of the Municipality such as the moderator for the meeting, Mr Isaac Kwame Elimmah, the Municipal Co-ordinating Director.

On the second day of their visit, the Southern University students paid a courtesy call on the esteemed Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson. With warmth and enthusiasm, she welcomed the students and extended her best wishes for an enjoyable and enriching stay as they explored the University. Her message was well received, and the students expressed their appreciation for the Vice-Chancellor’s hospitality, visibly uplifted by the honour of meeting one of the  institution’s highest-ranking leaders.

They were later welcomed by the Dean of KSB, Professor Ahmed Agyapong, to his village, where they witnessed a practical demonstration of social impact and its real-world implications. As part of their visit, a donation was made towards the development of the project.

 

The third day of the visit offered the Southern University students an opportunity to experience the vibrant traditions and culture of KNUST through an extensive campus tour. From the moment they joined the hustle for the shuttle bus, a typical student experience, their excitement was evident, and they embraced every moment with enthusiasm. The tour covered several iconic locations, including The Great Hall, Prempeh II Library, Katanga Hall’s basketball court, Parade Grounds, Osei Tutu II Museum, the various student halls, Jubilee Mall, and other notable landmarks across campus. As they moved from one site to another, rich stories about the University’s legacy and Ghana’s broader history were shared, offering them a deeper appreciation of the cultural and academic heritage of KNUST.

On the fourth day, the guests were immersed in a thrilling Ghanaian

cultural experience with a visit to Kejetia Market, one of the busiest and most iconic trading centres in Kumasi. There, they witnessed firsthand the hustle and bustle of local market life, a vibrant atmosphere filled with energy, colour, and constant movement.

The students were especially excited by the opportunity to interact with traders, bargain for goods, and navigate occasional communication barriers, all of which added to the authenticity of the experience. From the lively exchanges to the dynamic setting, the market visit gave them a meaningful glimpse into the everyday lives of Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

After an educational and inspiring tour, the time came for the Southern University students to bid farewell to KNUST, a moment marked with emotion and gratitude. Their departure on 1st June, 2025, concluded a memorable period of two weeks in KNUST and the four-day engagement with the KNUST School of Business.

In a heartfelt reflection, one of the visiting students expressed his admiration for KSB, saying, “If I were not graduating in December, I would have loved to spend my final semester at KSB.” Mercy Akosua Owusuaa Adjei, President of KSBGSA, also shared her thoughts

on the experience;

“My encounter with the students was eye-opening, establishing a bond that was beyond imagination. I loved having the opportunity to host them.”

The KNUST School of Business is deeply honoured to have hosted Tré, Justin, Jelissa, Cailyn, Jaison, Raina, and Kaymen from Southern University. Their visit was not only educational but also filled with shared stories, cultural appreciation, and meaningful dialogue. As we look forward to future collaborations, we will always say, AKWAABA - You are always welcome.

Source: Esther Nyarko