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 5th
of 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.
 |
| 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.
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