Dr. K. C. Whittaker Endowment Fund: A Legacy of Empowering Female Physics Students at KNUST
In a bid to promote and support female education in the field of Physics, the esteemed Dr. K C Whittaker Endowment Fund has been making significant strides at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The fund, which was established on December 12th, 1997, in accordance with the wishes of the late Mrs. Rose Adwoa Whittaker, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering women's participation in the realm of science.
The Head of the Department of Physics at KNUST, Prof. Reuben Y. Tamakloe, recently provided a comprehensive overview of the Dr. K C Whittaker Endowment Fund's objectives and achievements. Speaking at a formal gathering, Prof. Tamakloe highlighted that the primary aim of the fund is to inspire and empower female students pursuing physics courses. He elaborated on how the initiative initially focused on two brilliant female physics students, aiming to stimulate interest among their peers. Over time, as female enrollment in the department increased significantly, the eligibility criteria for the award evolved. Currently, the award is granted to female students with a Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 60 and above.
Prof. Tamakloe announced that the number of beneficiaries has grown from its initial count to seventeen recipients, each receiving an increased monetary reward of GH¢2,500. He emphasized that the fund's impact has been profound, not only in terms of financial support but also in cultivating a stronger presence of women in the physics department.
