By Philip Tengzu
Wa (UW/R), Dec. 18, GNA – Professor Hamidatu Saaka Darimani, the Vice-Chancellor of the Dr Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU), has urged graduates of the University to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to positively impact their communities.
She stressed that technical education was designed to produce job creators rather than job seekers; hence, they should apply the entrepreneurial skills imparted in them to create businesses.
“The essence of the training you have received here as technical graduands is to prepare you to be self-reliant, to be employers instead of employees, and to be job creators instead of job seekers,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Professor Darimani said this in Wa during the 7th congregation of the University, which was also the first congregation under her leadership as Vice-Chancellor.
A total of 723 graduates, comprising 153 Bachelor of Technology (BTech) students and 570 Higher National Diploma (HND) students, were presented with certificates at the ceremony.
The graduates were drawn from the Faculties of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, Applied Arts, Design and General Studies, and the Business School.
Addressing the congregation, Professor Darimani reiterated the University’s commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant training to support national development and positively impact the Ghanaian economy.
She said the University had signed Memoranda of Understanding with some foreign universities and industries in the Upper West Region to strengthen competency-based training by integrating theory with practical skills to meet industry needs.
Despite challenges such as infrastructure deficits and limited funding resulting from the lack of seed capital, she said the University remained resolute in its efforts to deliver quality education to students.
Professor Julius Najah Fobil, Chairperson of the DHLTU Governing Council, encouraged the graduands to live up to expectations by using their knowledge and skills to drive development in their communities.
Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), cautioned against the proliferation of tertiary institutions in the country, which he said could undermine the quality and relevance of tertiary education if not checked.
He said Ghana currently had about 300 accredited tertiary institutions, including 16 traditional universities,s10 public technical universities, 24 chartered private universities, 94 private universities, 49 public colleges of education, and 81 public health training colleges, among others.
Professor Abdulai noted that while the rapid growth of tertiary institutions had improved access to higher education, it also posed the risk of reducing quality and skills mismatch within the labour market.
He called for stronger industry-academia collaboration and increased investment in applied and community-relevant research, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, water management, agri-processing, and sustainable rural development.
He assured the University Management of GTEC’s continued support to enable it to fulfil its mandate within a quality-driven tertiary education ecosystem.
Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, assured the University community of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the institution.
He cited the commencement of work on a 400-bed hostel facility as evidence of steps being taken to improve infrastructure at the University.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/George-Ramsey Benamba