The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region hosted its 9th Congregation on Wednesday, with 324 students receiving Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees and Higher National Diplomas.
There were 185 males and 139 ladies in attendance at the virtual ceremony, with 44 receiving First Class.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa, who disclosed this stated that since the conversion of the Polytechnic into University in April 2020, the University had started five new market-driven programmes.
Professor Alnaa mentioned the new programmes as HND Banking and Finance, HND Automobile Engineering, HND Electronics Engineering, HND Medical Laboratory Technology and HND Mechanical Engineering.
“The new programmes are expected to broaden the academic sphere and to enhance the current status and relevance in corporate academia,” he stressed.
He explained further that with the introduction of the new programmes coupled with the 2020 WASSCE candidates who are yet to receive their results and to apply, the University was expecting the rise in students’ enrolment and was ready to admit them and with the best hands-on instruction and training.
The Vice Chancellor, who also stated that the University had introduced four-year bachelor’s degree and top-up programs in technology, also stated that plans to introduce a master’s degree program in technology were well advanced, which would help the school achieve its goal of becoming the preferred institution and a technology village in the country and beyond.
Professor Alnaa stated that while 25 members of staff are now pursuing their Ph.D.s, 17 members of the academic staff have completed their studies and returned to work.
While commending the government, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the Commission on Technical, Vocational Education and Training for assisting the University to retool its workshop and laboratories including the clearance to employ new staff, the Vice Chancellor appealed to the government to provide the institution with a lecture theatre complex to help address the classroom infrastructure challenge.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Professor Francis Abantanga, told the staff of the University that with the conversion of the institution to a University, it was incumbent upon them to work hard.
He congratulated the graduands and entreated them to work hard wherever they find themselves to make the University proud.
