By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi March 04, GNA – Graduates have been charged not to relent in seeking advanced studies and other professional courses to stay competitive in the changing world of scientific and technological advancement.
“You cannot afford to rest on your oars after graduation. As you enter the real world of the workplace, in addition to proving yourself worthy of the training undergone at the University, upgrade yourselves and be abreast with changes in science and technology,” Dr Kwame Addo Kufour, Chancellor, Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has advised.
Speaking at the 22nd congregation ceremony of the KsTU, Dr Addo Kufour described graduation as “end of a specific period of study you have undertaken”, adding that, “this is only a temporary break”.
He said when individuals proved themselves as innovative, hardworking, and honest, industry would come offering jobs to them.
The graduation ceremony saw 1,861 students awarded various certificates.
These included nine (9) masters, 394 Bachelor of Technology, 975 Higher National Diploma, 309 Commission for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (CTVET) and 174 University Diploma Certificates.
Dr Addo Kufour pointed out that, the renewed emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education highlighted the pivotal role that institutions including, the KsTU could play in national development.
He pledged the University’s readiness to contribute to this forward agenda in Ghana and beyond.
Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdullai, Director-General, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), indicated that the Commission was not in doubt of the government’s commitment in positioning technical and vocational education as the pivotal point of Ghana’s developmental aspirations.
He said, “our contribution as the regulatory agency in this setup is to provide you with the necessary guidance, support and most importantly, accreditations for programmes that will feed into this exercise.”
Prof Abdullai said the GTEC was encouraged by the general acceptance and gravitation of the youth towards developing skills and competencies in TVET.
He cited that in 2023 academic year alone, over 50,000 Basic Education Certificate Examination graduates enrolled in TVET schools.
Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh, Vice-Chancellor, KsTU, noted that the University continued to expand its programmes to create opportunities for numerous Ghanaian youth.
It was, therefore, important that the government continued expanding the existing infrastructural facilities to enable more students to be admitted and take advantage of the institution’s attractive academic and professional programmes.
GNA