By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Sumbrungu (U/E), Oct. 22, GNA – The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has graduated a total of 782 students, comprising 448 females and 334 males, at a special congregation ceremony.
The graduates received Master of Science degrees, National Certificate I qualifications and certificates in specialised technical and vocational short courses, highlighting the university’s growing emphasis on practical skills development, technical education and industry-oriented training.
Of the total number, 14 students graduated with Master of Science degrees, while the National Certificate I category accounted for the largest proportion of graduates across five technical and vocational disciplines.
These comprised 242 graduates in Garment Making, 28 in Welding and Fabrication, 70 in Automobile Engineering, 176 in Electrical Engineering Technology, and 224 in Catering and Hospitality Management.
The university also awarded certificates to graduates who completed specialised short courses in Pumps, Compressors and Valve Maintenance Engineering; Condition Monitoring and Preventive Maintenance of Mining Engineering; Advanced Engine Diagnostics and Scan Tool Analytics; and Advanced TIG and MIG Pipe and Plant Welding.
Professor Peter Osei Boamah, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of BTU, said the BTU had made significant progress in strengthening competency-based training curricula to equip students with practical skills relevant to industry.
He also announced the establishment of the university’s Sustainable Energy Centre (SEC), which was expected to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Another major achievement, he said, was the BTU’s victory in the 2026 Women in Engineering (WiNE) Affair national competition, where its students defeated 18 other tertiary institutions, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana.
The winning innovation was a student-developed smart emergency flood monitoring system, which demonstrated the capacity of technical university students to apply engineering knowledge to address real-world challenges.
Professor Boamah said the achievement underscored the university’s growing contribution to innovation and its efforts to encourage more women to pursue technical and science-related disciplines.
He noted that the 448 female graduates, representing approximately 57.3 per cent of the graduating class, provided further evidence of the importance of promoting women’s participation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Despite the achievements, Professor Boamah identified inadequate infrastructure as a major challenge confronting the university as it expands its academic programmes and student population.
He called for urgent investment in a dedicated lecture hall complex to address the shortage of teaching and learning spaces.
He also highlighted the need for adequate office accommodation and modern technological equipment for academic and administrative staff to improve teaching, research, administration and student counselling.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor appealed for increased government support and stronger partnerships with the private sector to provide the infrastructure required for the university’s growth.
He said such investments would strengthen BTU’s capacity to realise its vision of developing into a fully-fledged technology village and fulfilling its mandate as a technical university.
Addressing the graduates, Professor Boamah urged them to apply the knowledge and practical competencies acquired at the university to solve problems, establish businesses and contribute to the development of their communities.
He advised them to embrace innovation, discipline and integrity, stressing that these qualities were essential for success in an increasingly competitive employment environment.
“Do not wait for opportunities to find you; use the practical skills you have acquired here to create solutions, build businesses, and uplift your communities,” he urged.
He further encouraged the graduates to serve as worthy ambassadors of the university and demonstrate the value of technical and vocational education through their professional conduct and contributions to society.
Mr Roland Atanga Ayoo, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) underscored the need for BTU to collaborate with the Assembly in developing research-based interventions, including improved waste management systems, agricultural processing technologies, digital solutions for local governance and strategies to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises.
He said the university’s academic expertise and research capacity could help the Assembly develop practical, affordable and sustainable solutions to challenges confronting communities across the municipality.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Reporter’s email: [email protected]