The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region has launched a 10-year Strategic Plan to provide direction for the university to realise its vision of becoming the preferred technical university in the country and beyond.
The Strategic Plan which runs from the year 2023-2032 when implemented is also expected to empower the university to come out with innovative academic programmes producing graduates equipped with new technological skills for sustainable development.
At the launching ceremony held on the University’s main campus at the Sumbrungu community on Friday, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, explained that the institution was initially established as a Polytechnic in 1992 under PNDC Law 321 (1992), and thereafter converted to the status of a Technical University in April, 2020, in line with the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922).
He stated that the Act, 922, mandates the University to provide higher education in Engineering, Science and Technology-based disciplines, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Applied Arts and other related disciplines, and award degrees including honourary degrees, diplomas and other qualifications agreed upon by the Governing Council.
He stressed that for the University to be able to achieve its mandate, the University’s Governing Council developed the 10-year Strategic Plan (2023 – 2032) to guide the University’s medium-to-long-term growth.
“As a TVET Institution, it is the University’s belief of not only equipping students with technological skills for their future careers, but also inculcating in them critical minds, concern and respect for humankind and nature as well as an in-depth understanding of the world,” he intimated.
The Chairman of the Strategic Plan Committee, Professor Theophilus Azunga, mentioned that strategic plan puts forth a key aspiration for the University to become a leading Technical University in Ghana and beyond, producing skilled, knowledgeable and employable graduates in various disciplines for industry.
To realise this aspiration, the University would promote effective and quality teaching/learning, research, and community service and resource mobilisation.
He stated that the first phase of the Strategic plan which spans from 2023 to 2027, would aim at positioning the Institution to become a leading technological university, while the second phase, 2028-2032, seeks to consolidate the gains made thereof.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, who graced the occasion lauded management of the University for coming out with such good initiatives to help the growth of the university and challenged the university to conduct proactive research that are capable of addressing the challenges confronting the region and beyond.
The occasion attracted stakeholders from the academia, Ghana Education Service, Non-Governmental Organisations, the private sector, students and among others.
FROM SAMUEL AKAPULE, SUMBRUNGU
