Analysis of Students’ Role in University Governance: A Case Study of KNUST during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) all over the world have developed strategies
to minimize the impact of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic on students.
Most HEIs as part of their governance systems involve students in their decisionmaking processes. This is because students are major stakeholders and must be
involved in all decision making that affects them. However, the COVID-19 crisis
posed a great challenge of social distancing which has limited the involvement of
students in relevant decision-making processes. This study examined how student
leadership has been involved in the governance of HEIs, using the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, as a case study.
Using a qualitative approach, five university leaders and five student leaders were
sampled to provide their perspectives on the crisis. A content analysis of the
appropriate institutional policies was carried out. The study found that there is
policy framework to support students’ involvement in the university’s governance,
but these processes are not effectively adhered to during crisis situations. It is
recommended that HEIs engage professionals with expertise in student affairs to
build capacity of management and student leaders in university governance.
Besides, there is the need to professionalise student affairs offices in order to
respond to the needs of students, especially, during crisis such as COVID19.