Government has been urged to come out with a deliberate policy, aimed at expanding infrastructure of smaller Universities in the country, in anticipation of the increased enrollment for the 2020/21 academic year.
This will accommodate the products of the free SHS in the Tertiary institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology, UMaT, Professor Jerry Kumah, made this appeal at the 11th Congregation of UMaT at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The University of Mines and Technology, UMAT has a student population of 2,416. Out of this number, 217, constituting nine percent, are postgraduate students pursuing MSc, MPhil and PhD programmes. In line with the university’s gender mainstreaming policy, more females are encouraged to enroll in the engineering programmes. The female population now stands at 455, constituting 19 percent of the total student population. It also has an international student population of 52 from 11 countries.
At the 11th congregation, a total of 494 students graduated including five PhD and 76 MPhil. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Jerry Kumah said though the University has chalked some successes in fulfilling its mandate with support from government, a lot more needs to be done especially in the area of research.
He appealed for clearance to replace their staff who have retired, resigned or passed on this year.
Professor Kumah also called for a review of the policy on Professors in Public Universities who attain 65 years to continue to lecture until age 70.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, announced that GH¢5 million will be released for the University by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, towards the University’s activities. This he said is in line with government’s agenda to train the skilled manpower to prosecute the Ghana beyond aid agenda.
The Chancellor of the University, former President John Agyekum Kuffour, called for massive investment in institutions such as UMaT to engage in research into challenges confronting the country to come out with applicable solutions.