The Rector of Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa says government’s delay in converting the school into a Technical University is affecting enrolment, with many students preferring institutions with University status.
Prof. Alnaa is of the view that government must fast-track the processes for the conversion of the institution into a Technical University.
Prof. Alnaa expressed these sentiments at the seventh graduation ceremony held in the school.
Polytechnics in the country were given the legal clearance to be converted to technical universities following the passage of the Technical Universities Bill 2016 by Parliament.
The Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics in the Upper East and West regions were however the only institutions, out of the ten polytechnics in the country that did not meet the criteria for conversion into technical universities.
With the passage of the bill, Polytechnics can be converted to Technical Universities to provide higher education, with emphasis on Science and Technology-oriented disciplines, technical and vocational training, as well as Applied Arts and its related disciplines.
For a polytechnic to qualify for conversion to a technical university, it has to meet a set of eligibility criteria, including institutional standing, academic staff requirements and evidence of collaboration with industry and employers in the delivery of accredited programmes.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Alnaa expressed concern that although the institution has addressed all the deficiencies that held it back in the first assessment, the school has still not been converted.
The Rector attributed the school’s dwindling internally generated funds and enrollment to the failure of government to give it University status.
The Executive Director of Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, COTVET, Dr. Fred Asamoah, said the level of development in a middle income country like Ghana is determined by the quality of its human resource coupled with innovations in science and technology especially modernisation of agriculture.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage, pledged her outfit’s readiness to do the necessary follow-up in ensuring that the Bolgatanga Polytechnic is converted into a Technical University.
In all, 299 students graduated out of which 26 graduated with Bachelor of Technology. Some outstanding students received awards from the School’s Alumni and the leadership of the School.
Benedicta Efua Dewu was adjudged the best female student.