SUNYANI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, has challenged products of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to learn to set up their businesses to help curb the rate of unemployment in the country.

She said by because students in TVET institutions acquire employable skills and professional training, they are expected to be job creators and not job seekers.

"Purpose in your heart that you can make it and become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country in the future and gradually, you will get there by the grace of God", she said.

The Regional Minister was addressing the 15th Congregation of the Sunyani Technical University in Sunyani over the weekend.

A total of 2,286 graduands were awarded Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) degrees, Higher National Diploma (HND), and other non-tertiary Diploma Certificates in Engineering, TVET, Applied Science and Technology, Built Environment, and Applied Art, as well as Business and Management Studies.

Out of the graduating list, 1,499, representing 65.6%, were males, while 787, representing, 34.4% were females. In terms of distribution according to classes, 305 (13.3%) obtained First Class, 1,288 (56.3%) obtained Second Class Upper Division, 665 (29.1%) obtained Second Class Lower Division and 28 (1.3%) obtained a Pass.

Be innovative

The Regional Minister reiterated that TVET is aimed at building students to be innovative to start up their businesses to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of this country without having to depend on the government for employment.

"As graduates of this august technical university, you are required to come out with business ideas and plans and seek the needed support that would enable you to establish your businesses. Even if you encounter challenges on your way, do not give up, keep pushing forward and tell yourself that you shall make it. In fact, that is the essence of TVET", she again said.

Staff development

In his address to Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah said in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Management is currently pursuing an aggressive staff development Plan which will dramatically improve the faculty qualifications by the end of 2025.

To this end, the University is spending some Gh¢1.5 million from its IGF sources to sponsor more than 50 staff to pursue PhD degrees in both local and foreign Universities.

“Also, more scholarship opportunities are being sought by Management to assist other staff to pursue their PhD degrees in some foreign countries. The prospects are that by the end of the current Strategic Plan period, 2025, the University would have trained over 100 PhD holders to manage teaching and learning in the Lecture Halls”, the Vice-Chancellor added.

To the graduands, the VC asked them to be worthy ambassadors of the Sunyani Technical University “as you join the Alumni Association today. As an institution that has trained and made you who you are today, remember to contribute regularly, at least once a year, into the STU Endowment Fund.”

Ing. Dr. Kwame A. Boakye, Chairman, of Sunyani Technical University Council used the occasion to rally more support toward the STU Endowment Fund.

The Fund, he explained, is intended to build a platform that helps to support, sustain and extend the 55 years of progress and achievement in TVET and Engineering Education.

Some deserving students were recognised for their exceptional academic performances. The Overall Best Student Award went to Mercy Musah, who took home cash of Gh.c 1,000.00 and a citation.

The Best Engineering Student Award went to Gbeddy Delight, who took home a plaque, a laptop, a cheque for Gh.c 3,000.00 from Kasapreko Company Limited, and a cash of Gh.c 500.00 from the University.

One of the female graduands presented a portrait of the Regional Minister to her for being an inspiration to the student’s success story.

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The Vice-Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, last Sunday joined officers and men of the 3 Garrison in Sunyani for this year’s First Quarter Religious Parade.

The programme, which took place at the St. Theodore Catholic Church at the Liberation Barracks, was also attended by Lt. Col Kofi Obiri Yeboah (154 Armoured Regiment), the Garrison Commander; Lt. Col Dominic Baah, the Commanding Officer of the Armoured Training School and Lt. Col Eric Tenadu, Commander Rear, Third Battalion of Infantry.

The service, which was on the theme; Ebenezer (Stone of Help), was characterised by praises and worship ministrations as well as sermons by both Muslim and Christian Chaplains at the 3 Garrison.

Partnership

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of STU, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, who was the Guest of Honour, called for closer collaboration between the Garrison and STU, especially in the areas such as driving and maintenance and gunnery.

“It is interesting to learn of the existence of the Armour Training School in this Garrison which focuses on technical training, mainly for Armour personnel. The technical courses of Driving and Maintenance and Gunnery are particularly interesting in my view”, he observed.

He added that these courses hold prospects for possible collaboration between our two institutions, the Sunyani Technical University and the Liberation Barracks.

“I, therefore, would like to propose that we sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kick-start this partnership”, the VC stated.

He commended the Ghana Armed Forces for couching an impeccable brand for itself and emerging as the most trusted institution in the country last year, according to the latest Afro barometer study conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).

“It is, however, incumbent on you to work harder to maintain this great feat. The peace and stability we currently enjoy in Ghana, particularly in the Bono Region, is largely possible as a result of your loyalty and steadfastness. This should however not make you complacent. Recent threats of terrorism and internal conflicts particularly that of Bawku and the threat of secessionist groups along our eastern frontiers call for you to be extra vigilant and alert”, he said.

Ing. Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah encouraged the soldiers to eschew the common distractions of money which could lead to issues of land guarding, debt collection, one-man and unauthorized operations. Improper involvement in partisan politics is also an area to watch as we gradually approach the political season.

He noted that these issues often drive service persons into trouble thereby tainting the hard-won reputation of the Ghana Armed Forces; saying, “I admonish you to be guided by sense of responsibility, duty, professionalism and loyalty at all times. Let us continue to raise high the flag of the Ghana Armed Forces and our dear Country, Ghana.”

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The Sunyani Technical University says it is determined to offer sponsorships to students who come up with innovations and inventions that would contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, the Vice-Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University, who announced this said the University will offer these sponsorships through its Research and Innovation Fund.

Speaking at the 27th matriculation of the University, the Vice-Chancellor said the Students’ Support Fund, set up by the institution, is also there to support needy but brilliant students who encounter financial challenges during their course of study.

Statistics

This year, the university issued admission letters to a total of 4,934 prospective students. Out of this number, a total of 3,014 applicants, representing 61.1%, responded positively and were admitted into the University for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Out of the total enrolment, 2,181, representing 72.4%, are Males, whilst 833, representing 27.6%, are Females. The University also admitted two foreign students this year. In terms of disciplines, 2,503, representing 83%, enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and TVET programmes as against 511, which constitutes 17%, in the Humanities.

The total enrolment of 3,014 fresh students for this academic year shows an increase of 30.2% over last year’s figure of 2,104. The appreciable rise in student enrolment at the University this year can be attributed to a number of measures put in place by management to increase intake, including improved visibility of the University resulting from the 55th Anniversary Celebration and the introduction of new academic programmes.

This, according to the Vice-Chancellor, calls for more efforts to continuously improve and sustain visibility of the University through advertisement of its new Engineering, Science and TVET academic programmes to attract more prospective students, especially foreign students into the University.

“When patronage of such skill-oriented industry-driven programmes is improved, it would help produce more skilled and entrepreneurially inclined graduates, who can readily find jobs or set up their own businesses to help accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana”, he emphasised.

In his view, this will also reduce the proclivity of other institutions having the opportunity to produce many graduates in the chocked sectors of the national economy in order not to worsen the existing high spate of youth unemployment in the country.

Security

The Vice-Chancellor assured the freshers that management has put in place measures to protect life and property on the University campus.

“These include the setting up of a Police Post on the University Campus to augment the existing security architecture of the University. The lighting system on campus has been enormously improved, whilst security patrols and visibility have been enhanced.

He, however, urged the students not to be careless about their personal security, saying “do not walk alone on campus during the night as that might not help your personal security.”

Discipline

Ing. Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah reminded the students of the need to exhibit high sense of purpose and diligence in pursuing their academic career to enable them to achieve the required skillsets and competences that will make them successful in the world of work.

“You are the future leaders of this country, as some of you here are going to become Lecturers, Engineers, Businessmen, Parliamentarians and even President of this country one day. You should, therefore, be serious with your studies so that you can climb the academic ladder systematically and successfully in order to achieve your future goals and ambitions”, he said.

“Notwithstanding, the university requires you, as students, to be disciplined and law-abiding. You are here to be trained not only in academic work, but also to help you form a decent character that will make you responsible citizens in future to enable you contribute positively to Ghana’s development.

He said anti-social practices such as violation of laid down rules and regulations; including examination malpractice, alcoholism, betting and sexual promiscuity would not be tolerated by Management, with Culprits of such acts being made to face the full rigors of the University's disciplinary procedures.

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Partners for Compassionate Services, a US-based non-profit-making organisation, has presented assorted medicines and a variety of medical supplies worth over Gh.c 50,000.00 to the Sunyani Technical University Clinic to enhance health care delivery to the public.

This support to the STU Clinic was initiated by the university’s Fundraising Officer, Mr. Desmond Oppong, as part of his broader mandate to solicit various assistance that would facilitate the growth and development of the institution.

Mr. Julius Kwayie-Mensah, the Sunyani Branch Manager of Zenith Bank, made the presentation on behalf of the CEO of Partners for Compassionate Services, Dr. Yusif Addae, at a brief ceremony at the clinic on Tuesday.

Mr. Kwayie-Mensah said Dr. Yusif Addae is passionate about the health needs of people and would provide further assistance to the clinic to enable it meet the ever-growing demands of its clients.

The Medical Director of the Clinic, Dr. Vera Achiaa Darko, received the items on behalf of the facility and thanked the donors for their kind gesture.