2024 Department Orientation for Freshers

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The Department of Communication Design (DeCoDe), KNUST on 11th January, 2024 held an orientation for its freshmen at the Block E Auditorium – KSB. The department orientation was held to welcome the new students and orient them on the rules and regulations of the University, as well as to provide a platform for interaction with the college officials on matters relating to their academic work in the department.

Welcoming the students was the Dean of the Faculty of Art, Prof. Karî'kachä, Seid'ou who congratulated the freshers and encouraged them to seek creative collaborations with students in other departments in the faculty.

Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, the renowned Ghanaian artist of monumental installations and founder of Red Clay Studio, Savannah Centre for Contemporary Arts and Nkrumah Volin was the invited speaker. he shared experiences as a student and artist with the freshers and encouraged them to take their academic work seriously whiles engaging in collaborative projects with people from other disciplines.
 

The College Counsellor, Mr. Gilbert Konwie Langu spoke about counselling services and encouraged students to visit the KNUST counselling centers to speak to professional counsellors on any issues affecting them. He ensured them of his availability to provide counselling service to them. The faculty examination officer, Mr. Albert Essuman was in attendance to speak about University examination regulations and the responsibilities of students. He encouraged them to read the student’s guide to be conversant with the University’s regulations regarding their stay on campus.

At the department level, Mr. Anthony Badu, acting on behalf of the Head of Department, Dr. Adam Rahman also welcomed the students to the Design Department and fraternity. He spoke extensively about the department’s programs which are aimed at achieving excellence in teaching, learning and research in the area of design and multimedia applications. He spoke about the many achievements of past students and encouraged the freshers to do well to bring honour to the department. He also made a profound statement by saying, “Don’t carry the University but let the University carry you to your various destination”.  He further encouraged the students to thrive for academic excellence and adhere to all rules and regulations and to pay close attention to the Students’ Guide and Code of Conduct to ensure they don’t fall foul of university regulations. Other issues highlighted bothered on examinations, improper dressing, time management, and the use of department facilities among others.

The Examination officer for the Department was next to elaborate on Examination practices expected of students. He stressed on issues of course registration, examination malpractices, dress codes at examination centres and also advised them to take note of the various announcements concerning examinations.

In attendance were members of the teaching faculty and technical staff of the department, and National Service Personnel assigned to the department to support teaching and learning and student executives as various levels of administration.

The 2023-2024 executives of the Department and the Faculty of Art were introduced to the freshmen as the voice of students at the department and faculty levels respectively. Master Kwaku Ababio, President of Graphic Art Student Association (GASA), and his fellow Executives also took turns addressing the freshmen. The GASA President, said in his speech that, the student “should not just carry the association name with pride but more importantly carry its brand with great responsibility”. Afterwards, students were engaged in an interactive Q&A session. The event came to a close, after which the freshmen and other participants where refreshed­. The vote of thanks was given by the immediate president Master Benjamin Koomson. A closing prayer was said by Master Bartholomew Nyarko, a former President of GASA.