Ho Polytechnic is ready to join the first batch of Polytechnics in Ghana to be converted into Technical Universities in 2016.
According to the Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, Ho Polytechnic is more than 50% ready for conversion into Technical University having started implementing the recommendations of the Dr. George Afeti Committee.
The Rector made the announcement recently at a press conference in Ho in commemoration of his 100 Days in Office which originally fell on the 5thof January, 2015.
As part of the recommendations of the Technical Committee, for a polytechnic to be granted technical university status, it should be offering a minimum of four (4) Bachelor of Technology degree programmes in science and technology based disciplines.
New Initiatives
Some of the new initiatives include the expansion of academic programmes especially the Bachelor of Technology programmes which currently include BTech in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Auto-Mobile Engineering and Agricultural Engineering.
Facilities and infrastructure has started seeing massive improvement and expansion while existing programmes are being reviewed through the collaboration with Industry to make courses more industry friendly.
According to the Rector, “I have directed all faculties of the Polytechnic to sign MOUs with industry players” in a bid to forge a closer collaboration with them and also meet one of the qualification criteria for the conversion to Technical University.
Currently, the Polytechnic has established collaboration with Felix Houphouet Boigny ‘L’institut National Polytechnique’ of La Cote d’Ivoire for exchange programmes. It also has similar collaboration with the Vocational Institute for Technology (VIT), India and Pulaski Technical College, USA.
He also mentioned the upgrading of teaching staff of the polytechnic meet the university standard. Prof Sakyi therefore hinted that these and many other initiatives have already yielding desirable results and urged all staff, students and stakeholders to unite in making the dream of becoming a technical university a reality.
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| Prof. Emmanuel Sakyi, Ho Poly Rector |
Distant Learning
“Committees are also in place to facilitate the establishment of School of Research and Graduate Studies, An International Scholarly Journal, Centre for Entrepreneurial and Technology Transfer and Endowment Fund for Staff development,” said Prof Sakyi.
Another ambitious project mentioned by the Rector is the start of Distance Learning programmes at Akatsi, Aflao, and Hohoe as well as the commencing of an evening and weekend school for workers.
Challenges and Progress
Prof. Sakyi assumed office on October 1, 2014 as the Rector of Ho Polytechnic admitted that his first 100 days has not been without challenges some which include poor sanitation, erratic power and water supply and institutional weaknesses.
With sanitation, he noted that “…the workforce responsible for cleaning our facilities have now seen some level of encouragement to do the rights thing.” A new switch over has been installed to improve power supply while plans were far advanced to acquire two new plants specifically for Asogli and Afadzato blocks to facilitate Teaching and learning.
The use alternative power source preferably Solar is being explored while there are plans to drill two new mechanized boreholes to improve the water situation in the various halls of residence on campus.
Vision
Prof. Sakyi said his vision for the Polytechnic is “to create and strengthen administrative and academic institutions to support quality vocational and technical education” with the focus on teaching, learning and research.
This will be achieved through institutional re-engineering which bring into effect the necessary technical and adaptive changes to make the polytechnic’s administrative structures more effective.
