ATU receives accreditation to run 7 BTech programmes
The Accra Technical University has received accreditation to run seven Bachelors of Technology (BTech) programmes out of the 27 submitted for accreditation.
The seven courses which are currently being 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,
disclosed this at the 21st Congregation of the University in Accra on Saturday.
In all, a total of 3,109 graduates made up of 2,636. HND Students, 244 Diploma and 229 from the Ghana Armed Forces Military Academy and Training schools. Out of the number, 146 had first class honours, 1410 had second class (upper), 1,425 had second class (lower) with 125 passes.
According to him, the time had come for the University to develop masters programmes to enable the BTech graduates continue their education, while it awaits the return of the HND and Diploma graduate to pursue BTech and HND for either the morning or evening programmes.
The Vice Chancellor stated that the University had instituted a strategic and dedicated plan for the total well-being of students with strong support services for brilliant but needy students providing opportunities for extra curricular activities, improved health care on campus as well as modernise facilities.
He said the opportunity would also be created to increase women participation in science technology, engineering and mathematics, explaining that though part of the University’s internally generated funds would be used, the huge financial investment involved required stakeholder support to achieve that dream.
He said that “the ATU Enhancing Students Experience FUND (AESEF) would be used to pay fees for brilliant but needy students, rent hostel accommodation for needy students support women in STEM programme provide Laptops for needy students as well as provide free internet connectivity for the students.”
Prof.Odai urged the students to join the Alumni association, be worthy ambassadors and also live by good principles, shun flippancy as well as show gratitude to the parents.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw OseiAdutwum who promised GH¢20,000 towards the implementation of the institutions strategic plans expressed the government’s commitment to supporting Technical Universities transformation of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
That, he explained was the only way to provide the needed human capital and skills training to feed industries to promote the socio–economic development of the country.
The Minister charged the students to have confidence and faith in themselves and break uncertain grounds in other to achieve the heroes journey because “their future is in their own hands.”
Mr Adutwum urged corporate Ghana to recruit their critical staff from ATU while the students were still in school.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies Accra, (UPSA), Prof. Abednego Okoe, who was the congregational speaker charged Technical Universities to admit more students in science courses, instead of the Humanities in order to fulfill their core mandate in the Technology transformation of the country.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
