KNUST VC COMMISSIONS STATE OF THE ART FRENCH LABORATORY

The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology, Prof. William Otoo Ellis, has commissioned a new French language laboratory at the premises of the new examination hall complex.

The center christened as ‘maison de francaise’ is one of the many projects being undertaken by the French department to enhance the study of French in the university.
The state of the art facility comprises of a language laboratory with computers and microphones, a francophone library and a study abroad information desk with requisite information to help students interested in studying overseas.
Prof. William Otoo Ellis was the chairman of the occasion. In his keynote address, the Head of the French Institute in Ghana, Mr. Arnaud Dornon, entreated students and staff alike to take this opportunity to enhance their French speaking skills.

He noted that the center will be useless if maximum use is made of its services.
He said, “A library is only called a library when people come, read, learn or borrow books not because there are books inside, the activities creates the attention, that is why I would call on all the students to stop by, ask, enquire and use the facility that Knust offers them, both students and staff….”

The Head of Department of Modern languages, Dr. Lebeney Tettey also indicated that the project was just the first phase and announced plans to run proficiency courses for members of the university community.
“….I dare say that we will be able to rub shoulders with Alliance francaise in the running of proficiency courses in French to a larger public but this in the spirit of Francophonie and true friendship.”, Mrs Lebeney added.

The Provost of the college of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof. S.I.K. Afrane, who was also in attendance, bemoaned the little attention given to French study by our educational system. He further entreated the department to use the facility well, maintain it and expand it in the future to accommodate a larger population.

By Emmanuel Ofei, Focus FM, KNUST, Kumasi