Dr. Paul Kwadwo Addo, Deputy Registrar at the Directorate of Student Affairs,ÌýKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø), Kumasi spotlighted the university’s commitment to advancing inclusive education at the 33rd Annual International Conference of the .
Speaking at the global gathering held in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States of America, Dr. Addo, also a former Head of Institutional Planning of the Quality Assurance and Planning Office chaired a high-level session on Change through Education, Social Advocacy, and Global Collaboration and co-presented a paper titled "Institutional Approach in Achieving SDG4: The Inclusivity Factor" with Evelyn Adwoa Addo, a teacher at ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Basic School.
Their presentation explored how ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø is addressing Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG4) through deliberate policies and targeted support for underserved students.
He highlighted systemic challenges such as limited university spaces and financial constraints. Dr. Addo emphasized the need for bold institutional action to close the education gap in Africa.
Among the initiatives presented were a special admissions policy designed to support students from less-endowed and rural communities; deliberate efforts to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among girls; and support mechanisms for students with disabilities and refugee backgrounds, particularly through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme.
Dr. Addo further outlined four key policy frameworks that guide ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø’s inclusive education agenda. These include the admissions policy, which expands access to underserved student populations; the equality and diversity policy, which promotes inclusion and freedom of expression; the gender policy, which ensures equitable opportunities for both male and female students; and the disability policy, which provides structured support for students and staff with disabilities.
In addition to these policy measures, ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø has instituted mentorship programs, financial aid, and academic support services to help students stay in school and complete their education.
Referencing Ghana’s legislative backing for inclusive education, including the 1992 Constitution, Education Regulatory Bodies Act, Children’s Act, and Disability Act, Dr. Addo called for stronger collaboration among universities, governments, and international partners.
As session chair, Dr. Addo also led discussions on sustainable development in higher education and the transformative potential of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence in the classroom.
It must be noted that these initiatives resulted in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø winning the global award in 2023 for the Best University in the World for Ensuring the Achievement of Inclusion and Quality Education, as recognized by the Times Higher Education for Global Impact.
