<<Print>>

The Vice-Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Professor David Kofi Essumang, has appealed to the government to build new hostel facilities in the institution to address the residential challenges of students.

Professor Essumang, at the 17th Congregation of the University held on May 15, 2021, lamented the residential plight of students and lecturers over the years, as less than 10 per cent of the student population was accommodated by the school yearly in the face of the increasing numbers.

“The increasing number of students has been an issue of concern to management. Out of about 7,000 students, less than 10 per cent can be accommodated on campus at the only GETFund Hostel.

“More than two-thirds of students reside in private rented facilities within the immediate community which are in close proximity to the campus,” he said.

He added that sanitation in some of the private residences rented by some students could expose them to health hazards; hence, the need for the government to aid the university in the construction of hostel facilities to address the challenge.

Graduation

Three hundred and ninety-one students graduated with Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees. Forty-one obtained first-class honours, 206 and 142 obtained second-class upper and second-class lower respectively. Two others obtained a pass.

The VC lauded the performance of the students and the lecturers for producing good results and urged them to make good disciples of the university as graduates in the world of work. 

“Furthermore, I caution you against arrogance and indiscipline at the workplace. Be worthy ambassadors of this noble institution. You may have already realised through your training at KTU that life is not rosy, success calls for perseverance, hard work and self-discipline,” he reminded the graduates.

Development plan

The Minister of Education (MoE), Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, in a virtual recorded address, said the government had outlined a strategic plan to help promote TVET in the country.

“We have aligned all public TVET institutions, and placed them under the MoE. A five-year TVET strategic plan has been developed as part of the reform of TVET. KTU, like other technical universities, has gotten its share of infrastructure,” he said.

Dr Adutwum added that the government, as part of enhancing capacity in conducting scientific research in the tertiary institutions, had increased the research allowance by 200 per cent.

The student loan, he said, had also been increased by 50 per cent to support students in the tertiary schools.

He commended the university authorities for the implementation of new programmes over the years; while he urged the graduates to use their skills judiciously to enhance development in every area they find themselves.