ATU holds graduation for 4,000 students
Accra, Nov. 29, GNA – The Accra Technical University on Friday awarded Higher National Diploma to 4,160 students who successfully met all requirements at its 19th Graduation ceremony in Accra.
Of the total, 339 students graduated with Bachelor of Technology (BTech), 3,676 with Higher National Diploma (HND) and 145 students from the School of Ordnance of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
In all, 263 students, representing 6.3 per cent graduated with First Class Honours, 1,271 representing 30.6 per cent were awarded with Second Class Upper, while 2,204, (53.0 per cent), and 422, (10.1 per cent), graduated with Second Class Lower and Pass respectively.
Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said the School had seen a significant increase in student population in recent times.
He said the University, in 2019, received 9,793 application, of which 7,002 were admitted.
Prof Odai said to make room for the potential increase in tertiary education due to the Free Senior High School Policy, management was working to improve on its infrastructure.
That, he said, included the construction of a four-storey lecture theatre complex, expansion of the HCIM Auditorium into a 4-storey lecture structure and development of the school Clinic into a Clinic and Diagnostic Centre.
Fixing of escalators on selected buildings in the University was underway and lands acquired for property expansion into staff and students’ residential facilities, he said.
Madam Elizabeth Sackey, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, said government remained committed to the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as it was vital to addressing the unemployment situation.
She said as part of that effort, the Skills Development Fund had provided capacity building and technology development grants of over US$ 45 million to 617 companies and institutions, including TVET.
“This is to enable them to acquire modern skills training facilities and innovation technologies to enhance the quality of skills training and its relevance.”
Dr Violet Makuku, a Quality Assurance Expert, commended the University for its contribution to the country’s human capital through technical and vocational education.
She called on lecturers to be facilitators by guiding students to develop intellectual capacities required for national development.
She urged the students to be focused and innovative as that would help them create jobs to support the efforts of government.
The 19th Congregation coincided with the 70th Anniversary of the University.
