KNUST Forges Inclusive Education Alliance as Academic City’s Dr. Lucy Agyepong Earns National Recognition

Ghana’s higher education sector is witnessing a significant transformation through strategic international partnerships and the recognition of visionary leadership. Recently, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) launched a landmark collaboration with Gallaudet University and the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) to champion inclusive education for students with disabilities. This initiative underscores a growing national commitment to ensuring that tertiary education is accessible to all, regardless of physical or sensory challenges. Simultaneously, the sector's human capital was celebrated as Dr. Lucy Agyepong of Academic City University College was honored for her contributions to institutional development and youth empowerment at the prestigious 2026 Ghana Women of the Year Honours.

The partnership between KNUST and Gallaudet University, announced during a seminar in Kumasi, focuses on integrating advanced assistive technologies and inclusive practices into the university’s daily operations. Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson highlighted that inclusivity is a core institutional value, noting that more than 200 students with disabilities currently receive specialized support, including accessible accommodation and dedicated transport services. Professor Jerry John Kponyo of RAIL emphasized that the collaboration will leverage artificial intelligence to develop tools that specifically improve learning outcomes, ensuring that inclusivity is ingrained in both research and daily academic life.

Complementing these institutional advancements, the 2026 Ghana Women of the Year Honours spotlighted the individual excellence driving educational progress. Dr. Lucy Agyepong, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Academic City University, received the Excellence in Education Award for her impactful work in higher education and her dedication to youth empowerment. The ceremony, which also honored luminaries such as Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, provided a platform for Dr. Agyepong to reiterate the transformative power of education and her ongoing commitment to enhancing quality access for students across the country.

These developments underscore a dual momentum in Ghana's academic landscape: the institutionalization of equity through technology-driven partnerships and the celebration of leadership that prioritizes quality and access. As KNUST moves forward with its inclusive agenda and leaders like Dr. Agyepong continue to push the boundaries of institutional advancement, the future of Ghanaian education appears increasingly oriented toward global standards of excellence and social responsibility. These efforts collectively signal a robust effort to modernize the educational experience while fostering an environment where every student can thrive.