The new Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor William Otoo Ellis, has paid a working visit to the Management of the Bank and pledged to deepen the relationship between Ghana Commercial Bank Limited (GCB) and KNUST.
Professor Ellis who met with the two Deputy Managing Directors, Mr Samuel Sarpong, (Operations) and Mr Samuel Amankwah (Finance) was accompanied by Mr Matthew Kwabena Okrah, Senior Assistant Registrar and Mr Ralph Nyadu-Addo, Business Development Managers of KNUST.
The meeting reviewed the past relationship and developments and discussed new areas for possible collaboration between GCB and the KNUST.
While the KNUST delegation hammered on the strengths, capacity of GCB to fund huge strategic projects, it nevertheless was of the view that the Bank extends it support to research, micro, small and medium-size enterprises projects being undertaken by KNUST through the provision of business premises, training, coaching, and mentoring of students with innovative ideas.
Professor Ellis said the University is committed to doing business with the bank due to its unique role and contribution to the university and the economy of Ghana over the years.
He said the university has established a business development centre to actively promote, nurture and sustain innovative and competitive start-up businesses that emanate from research and innovative works of students and called on the Bank to assist the university to extend this to the communities around the school and elsewhere.
He described the initiative as the school's social responsibility for the communities saying that the partnership and support of GCB would be worthwhile.
He said the Bank could utilise this platform to introduce its products and services to the communities.
The Vice-Chancellor called on the Alumni of the university, who are staff of GCB to assist the university.
He announced plans by the University to organise a banking week for all banks on campus to share knowledge with students on the banking sector.
The two Deputy Managing Directors of the Bank, Mr. Samuel Amankwah and Mr. Samuel Sarpong were very grateful for the collaboration with the Institution and for the confidence reposed in the Bank.
Mr Sarpong gave the assurance that GCB is willing to share in the vision and achievements of the University.
He noted that the Bank is ready to educate students on banking and enlighten them on the basics of financial planning as well as the concept of saving for retirement for them to have a better future.
Mr. Sarpong said Management is also trying to change the Bank's structure, branding and services to meet the needs of its customers.
Touching on the structures he said, GCB has new branches with enhanced ambiance which really compete with the other banks and assured the institution of working on the old branches.
With the rebranding of the Bank he said it involves changing the attitude of staff towards customers, resolving the frequent technical problems on the ATM's and changing the Bank's logo.
Mr Amankwah assured them that the Bank will fulfill its promise in providing the institution with a lecture hall as it has been agreed on already.