KNUST SRC president-elect pledges action on data, hostels, transport and security

Jude Michelle, the newly elected President of the KNUST Student Representative Council (SRC), has outlined her administration's plans to tackle several pressing issues faced by students. Speaking after securing her position, she pledged to continue discussions regarding data affordability, high hostel charges, transportation, and student security.

Affordability of data bundles is a key issue, with Jude highlighting its importance in the academic journey. She emphasized that students rely heavily on internet connectivity for learning and accessing academic resources, making affordable data a vital component of the student experience. "Students come to school primarily to learn, and at the point where they don’t have the resources to be able to achieve that, it becomes problematic," she stated.

Hostel accommodation costs represent one of the major hurdles students face. Jude questioned the significant disparity between academic fees and the charges for private hostels. "Sometimes you can’t have your school fees as low as GH¢2,000 and your hostel price as high as GH¢7,000. That is too much," she remarked.

Addressing transportation, Jude acknowledged the university's efforts to improve mobility, such as adding new buses. However, she expressed concern over the number of buses provided relative to the student population. Her administration has already begun engaging key stakeholders and developing policies to tackle this issue.

Security is another priority on her agenda, particularly in light of concerns raised about student safety. Jude noted that the Ashanti Regional Minister has previously identified campus security as a priority, and she expressed confidence in the ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen security measures. Her administration, set to run for eight months, plans to measure its success not by the number of promises made, but by the tangible improvements students experience.

"We are hoping that at the end of the eight-month administration, it’s not just talk, but the students actually see a change in action."