Accra Technical University has received accreditation to deliver seven Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programs out of the 27 programs submitted for accreditation.
The seven courses currently run by the University are BTech in Accounting and Finance Analytics, Cyber Security, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Interior Design and Technology.
The rest are BTech in Medical Laboratory Science, Water and Sanitation Engineering and BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, announced this on Saturday at the 21st Congregation of the University of Accra.
A total of 3,109 graduates out of 2,636. HND students, 244 diplomas and 229 from the military academy and training schools of the Ghana Armed Forces. Of these, 146 had first class, 1,410 second class (upper), 1,425 second class (lower) with 125 passes.
According to him, the time has come for the university to develop masters programs for the BTech graduates to continue their education while waiting for the return of the HND and Diploma graduates to close the BTech and HND for either the morning or evening programs pursue.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the university has implemented a strategic and committed overall student welfare plan with strong support services for brilliant but needy students, opportunities for extracurricular activities, improved on-campus health care and facility upgrades.
He said it would also create an opportunity to increase women’s participation in science technology, engineering and mathematics, explaining that although some of the university’s internally generated funds would be used, the huge financial investment involved would support stakeholder support required to make this dream come true.
He said that “The ATU Enhancing Students Experience FUND (AESEF) would be used to pay fees for brilliant but needy students, rent dorm accommodation for needy students, support women in the STEM program, provide laptops for needy students and to provide free internet connections for the students.”
Prof. Odai urged students to join the alumni association, be worthy ambassadors and also live by good principles, avoid frivolity and show gratitude to parents.
The Minister of Education Dr. Yaw OseiAdutwum, who pledged 20,000 GH¢ for the implementation of the institution’s strategic plans, expressed the government’s commitment to support the transformation of technical vocational education (TVET) through the technical universities.
He explained that this is the only way to provide the feed industry with the human capital and skills needed to promote the country’s socio-economic development.
The minister urged students to have confidence and trust in themselves and to break unsafe paths in others to achieve the hero’s journey because “their future is in their own hands”.
Mr Adutwum urged the Ghanaian company to recruit its critical staff from ATU while the students were still at school.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), Prof. Abednego Okoe, who was the community spokesman, mandated the technical universities to accept more students in science majors rather than humanities to fulfill their core mandate in the technology transformation of the country.