The Cape Coast Polytechnic, as part of its expansion programme, would soon set up a satellite campus at Agona Swedru to run Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
Professor Lawrence Atepor, Rector of the Polytechnic, who made this known on Saturday, said the polytechnic was also in the process of acquiring a 100-acre land in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality, which would be developed into another satellite campus.
The Rector was addressing the 11th Congregation of the Cape Coast Polytechnic during which a total of 1,019 Higher National Diplomas and 10 Bachelor of Technology Degree students graduated.
Out of the number, 47 had first Class, 464 second class upper division, 491 in the second class lower division and 15 received passes.
The Associate Professor announced that the Polytechnic, in diversifying its programmes, had introduced a two year Diploma in Banking Technology, Diploma in Business Administration and Diploma in Computerized Accounting.
He said the Polytechnic was collaborating with the University of Professional Studies (UPS) to run degree programmes in Business Administration and with two other polytechnics and the Kwame Nkrumah University of science and technology to introduce a Master of Technology Degree programmes in August 2014.
He said two years ago, the polytechnic partnered with the University of Education, Winneba, to run a Diploma in Education programme for interested students, and that, the first batch had completed the programme and were awaiting graduation.
Prof. Atepor expressed worry that in Ghana, Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) was not seen as prestigious but rather a preserve for students who did not have the mental ability to pursue higher education and those who came from the bottom rungs of the socio- economic ladder.
He said the perception that polytechnic education was inferior to university education had resulted in the over subscription of university admissions, while polytechnics failed to get their full complement of students, adding that, the polytechnic was able to admit only 1,054 qualified students, though it had the capacity to admit more.
He pointed out that there was a great demand for skilled workers in many industries in the country, especially in the emerging oil industry, but because the skills were not developed, expatriates were brought in to fill the vacancies.
He suggested that in dealing with the challenge, the initial levels of TVET should be well- resourced to attract prospective entrants, and that, the proposed establishment of hundred day Senior High Secondary schools in the various districts, should include technical and vocational schools, to make TVET accessible to all communities.
He lauded the decision to convert polytechnics into technical universities, saying, that, it would make university education accessible to more people as well as solve the age old problem of academic progression for Higher National Diploma graduates.
Prof. Atepor disclosed that the polytechnics had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Boaturk Ventures Limited for the construction of a four-storey model hostel to accommodate an estimated 2,118 students, and that, the hostel would have shuttle facilities and a shop.
He said another MOU had been signed with Panjack Construction and Estate Developers and Direlang Holdings for the construction of two 7-Storey hostel facilities, adding that, both projects would commence before the end of this year.
He said work on the Four Block and 500-bed capacity Hostel, being funded from the Student Representative Council (SRC) dues, had started in earnest, adding that, the polytechnic’s Clinic had been refurbished and upgraded to a health post.
The Chairman of the Council of Cape Coast Polytechnic, Mrs. Emelia Aning, appealed for support to construct a modern auditorium facility for large gatherings, especially during the rainy season, hostel facilities to accommodate the about 90 per cent of students, who are at the mercy of landlords in the community, a bus for industrial trips, a sport stadium and modern equipment for the laboratories.
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