The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has announced new reopening dates for the 2026/2027 academic year, with fresh students reporting on Thursday, October 15, 2026, continuing students on Saturday, October 17, and lectures starting on Monday, October 19.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the university’s Executive Committee on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. A notice from the Office of the Registrar, signed by E. T. Otieku, Deputy Registrar in charge of General Administration, was issued immediately after the meeting.
The announcement ends days of uncertainty for thousands of students and parents. KNUST had originally planned to reopen on Tuesday, October 13, but postponed indefinitely in a press release dated Friday, October 9, citing the ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).
The new dates follow a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ordering all public universities to reopen by Friday, October 16, and resume lectures on Monday, October 19.
KNUST reopening dates for 2026/2027 academic year
The university’s notice sets out a staggered return to campus. Students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders have been asked to take note and act accordingly.
- Fresh students: Report on Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Continuing students: Report on Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Lectures in all departments: Begin Monday, October 19, 2026
Students can confirm official updates on the KNUST official website.
How the new KNUST dates compare with the earlier plan
The revised schedule pushes the start of the academic year back by about a week.
- Original reopening date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Postponement announced: Friday, October 9, 2026 (indefinite)
- New reporting date for freshers: Thursday, October 15, 2026
- New reporting date for continuing students: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Lectures start: Monday, October 19, 2026
The University of Ghana also postponed its reopening, which had been scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, over the same strike.
GTEC directive orders public universities to reopen by October 16
In a directive dated Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and addressed to vice-chancellors of public universities, GTEC ordered campuses to reopen by Friday, October 16, despite the strike by GAUA and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG).
GTEC warned that “the indefinite suspension of academic activities has far-reaching implications for students’ academic progression,” and could also affect university operations and international academic partnerships.
The Commission directed universities to have halls of residence, libraries, departmental registration desks and other essential student support facilities fully operational by Thursday, October 15, to allow registration. It also asked striking GAUA members to return to their duties while negotiations continue.
GAUA strike: why university administrators are still out
GAUA declared its nationwide strike on August 10, 2026, over salary disparities and conditions of service. Its main concern is the market premium, which the association says has fallen behind that of teaching staff.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on October 14, GAUA President Reverend Amoah Karikari said the association would call off the strike only after receiving a formal letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). “We call off the strike based on a condition precedent: that we receive a letter from Fair Wages,” he said.
He said GAUA does not object to the reopening directive, but stressed that it does not end the strike. He also criticised the tone of the GTEC letter, saying: “GTEC cannot and should not behave as if it is a headmaster remote controlling vice chancellors and university council.”
According to GTEC, the government has begun talks with GAUA leadership through the Ministries of Education and Finance and the FWSC. The higher education sector is also watching other pay disputes, including a UTAG-UG threat to strike from October 19 over unpaid book and research allowance.
What the KNUST reopening means for students and parents
Fresh students should plan to arrive on campus on Thursday, October 15, while continuing students should travel in time for Saturday, October 17.
Because administrators remain on strike, students may face delays with some registration and administrative services. GTEC has instructed universities to keep essential student facilities running to support the return.
Parents are advised to follow official KNUST channels for any further changes to the schedule.
What happens next
Lectures at KNUST are set to start on Monday, October 19, in line with GTEC’s directive for all public universities.
Attention now turns to talks between the government and GAUA, and whether the FWSC issues the letter the association says it needs to suspend its strike. Other public universities are also expected to announce or confirm their own reopening arrangements before the October 16 deadline.
Key details at a glance
- KNUST freshers report on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Continuing students report on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Lectures begin in all departments on Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Decision taken at an emergency Executive Committee meeting on October 14, 2026.
- Notice signed by Deputy Registrar E. T. Otieku on behalf of the Registrar.
- Original October 13 reopening was postponed over the GAUA strike, which began on August 10.
- GTEC has ordered all public universities to reopen by October 16.
FAQs
When is KNUST reopening for the 2026/2027 academic year?
Fresh students report on Thursday, October 15, 2026, and continuing students on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Lectures begin on Monday, October 19.
Why did KNUST postpone its reopening?
KNUST postponed its October 13 reopening because of the strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), which it said was affecting the running of the university.
Has the GAUA strike been called off?
No. As of October 14, GAUA says it will end the strike only after receiving a formal letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the market premium issue.
KNUST has fixed October 15 and 17 as reporting dates for fresh and continuing students, with lectures starting October 19, following GTEC’s order for public universities to reopen by October 16. The GAUA strike, however, is still on, and its resolution will determine how smoothly the new academic year runs.
