The Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences in partnership with the Career Services Centre of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has encouraged students to enroll in the IBM Skill Build Rollout Plan for 2026, a global skills development initiative sponsored by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
As part of the awareness campaign, a joint team from the Career Services Centre and the faculty visited lecture halls within the Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences to sensitize students on the benefits of the programme and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences, Prof. Joseph Abeiku Ackora-Prah explained that the programme is designed to equip students with highly employable digital and technological skills that are increasingly demanded in today’s job market.
“With the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning, we are leveraging this programme to ensure that our students can code, understand machine learning techniques, and apply AI tools. These are critical skills that will make our graduates more competitive and employable,” he noted.
Professor Ackora-Prah highlighted that the IBM SkillBuild certification is globally recognized and offered at no cost, giving KNUST students a significant competitive advantage both locally and internationally.
He revealed that he was part of the team that advocated the programme’s introduction to KNUST, with a deliberate focus on the Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences. According to him, the initiative is expected to be expanded to other faculties, including the Faculty of Biosciences.
Director of the KNUST Career Services Centre, Mrs. Selina Angmor, stated that participants will gain access to world-class, standardized professional courses for free, particularly targeting second- to fourth-year students.
“The courses are designed to bridge the gap between theory and industry needs. Students will gain practical, industry-relevant skills that can significantly improve their employability after graduation,” she said.
Some of the courses available under the IBM SkillBuild programme include Python Programming, Cloud Computing Fundamentals, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Data Science Methodology, Predictive Modelling Fundamentals, and Quantum Enigmas, among others.
