Datalink University to Commence post graduate Programmes in Sept.

Datalink University Post Graduate Programmes

The Data Link Institute, following approval from the National Accreditation Board (NAB), is scheduled to commence post graduate programmes from September this year.

The programmes are Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc in International Marketing Strategy, MSc Business Computing, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Corporate Governance and Leadership, MSc Management (Logistics and Operations) and MSc International Management.

This was disclosed by Prof. Victor Patrick Yao Gadzekpo, president of the Institute, at the 4th Graduation Ceremony of the Institute at Tema over the weekend.

In all, 424 students, made up of 216 females, representing 51%, and 208 males representing 49%, graduated from the Institute.

According to Prof. Gadzekpo, the duration of the programmes, which the institute is offering in collaboration with the University of Northampton Business School in the United Kingdom (UK), is 20 months.

"The programme will begin with the MBA, and this will be in September. The rest will be in January 2014. I want to use the opportunity to invite all potential applicants to take advantage of these useful programmes and earn a second degree. We have arranged for loan facilities with reasonable interest rates for applicants who will need it," he said.

Prof. Gadzekpo revealed that plans were underway for the institute to introduce the School of Social Sciences, which will offer courses such as French, English, Economics and Mathematics, Psychology, Actual Science, Computer Science Education and Business Education.

He explained that the curriculum for the education programmes had been developed and sent to the University of Education, Winneba, for affiliation. The others are currently being developed and would be sent to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for affiliation. Ultimately, they will all be sent to the NAB for accreditation.

Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Pro Chancellor, Central University College, who was the Guest Speaker, speaking on the theme; "The Role of Private Tertiary Education In The Socio-Economic Development of Ghana", said Ghana seemed to be in crises because good quality higher education, which is critical for a nation to become globally competitive, was lacking.

She stressed: "The apparent inadequacy and lack of capacity of public universities concerning admission of numerous applicants to various institutions has been widely reported in the media this week. We seem to be in crises."

She explained that the situation has been compounded when approximately 409,000 senior high school graduates will be seeking to be admitted into the various universities and other tertiary institutions in the country this year, adding more than 40,000 had applied to KNUST, which can only admit less than a quarter of the figure.

It is against this background that, according to her, the bulk now stops with the private tertiary institutions in the country to meet the growing demand to provide that quality higher education for Ghanaian youth.

Dr. Joyce Aryee continued that a careful study of the curriculum of the over 55 private tertiary institutions in the country reveals a dangerous trend of over concentration on business education, saying such institutions should endeavour to fill the gap of providing the kind of quality entrepreneurs and leaders to help confront Ghana's socio-economic challenges.

Mr. Ernest Ansah, Founder and Chancellor of the institute, urged the graduands to be proactive as they go into the job market, saying, "This is the beginning of a new era for you, and you will have to make all the difference with the knowledge and skills you have acquired."

He expressed his profound gratitude to KNUST and NAB for the immense support and guidance, the two institutions had provided the institute all these years, adding, "We are very truly proud about our affiliation to KNUST, and we would continue to uphold the high standards they expect of us."