University Technologists and Technicians Association holds inaugural ceremony

Accra, Dec 11, GNA-The University Technologists and Technicians Association (ULTTA), University of Ghana (UG) Legon Chapter, has held its inaugural ceremony at the Great Hall in UG, Legon.

The event was held on the theme, “Attaining and Sustaining a World Class Research Intensive University-The role of Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.”

Professor Edmund Ameko, from the Accra Technical University, advised the inaugural celebrants to be interested in everything about the University since they had taken a good step to focus on the vision of the university.

Prof Ameko said they should know the strategic priorities of the University, which included; research, teaching and learning, asset management, among others, to achieve their goals.

He said upholding those values required integrity, commitment, respect and loyalty, adding that, they should be passionate, creative, and innovative and develop managerial and strategic skills.

“Members should be abreast with emerging technologies. They should be very good laboratory managers by planning, budgeting, organizing, directing, coordinating and controlling,” he reiterated.

Prof Ameko stressed that the key attributes that made effective technical work, were skills and techniques, training, experience and requisite professional or technical qualifications for the job.

Mrs Joyce Duah, Chairperson of the Association, said technicians were the bedrock of the sciences and engineering.

She said: “In a world-class University, technical staff contribute to high level research, demonstrate practical procedures and show competence the operation, maintenance and fabrication of all common user laboratory and field equipment with varying degrees of complexity.

“The role of technical staff is, therefore, crucial in helping the University to achieve its vision. Whether it is research or enabling effective student learning environment, the technical staff are key partners,” she added.

Mrs Duah appealed for a hazard allowance for members which was presently being pursued at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

She explained that there were chemical, biological and physical sources of hazards that posed health hazards to those who were exposed to them and increase risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Professor Sandow Mark Ayidana, Patron of the Association, appealed to the management of the University to help them create a separate track for progressing towards a higher professional qualification to be closer to the senior members’ grade to have an international equivalent.

Over two hundred Technologists and Technicians attended the inaugural ceremony at the Great Hall.

GNA