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A section of the graduates

T-Poly receives funds for projects

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided US$6.01 million to the Takoradi Polytechnic (T-Poly) for the execution of projects for the institution at Akentenchie in the Ahanta West District in the Western Region.

The projects, to be undertaken on a 152-acre plot of land, include a lecture theatre complex, a mechanical/electrical workshop, a four-storey staff accommodation, a library and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre.

Already, the AfDB and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) have contracted Messrs Fridoug Limited to commence the construction of five out of the 15 projects which constitute the first phase of the project.

15th Congregation

The Rector of T-Poly, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, who announced this at the 15th congregation of the institution on Saturday, indicated that a second sod-cutting ceremony would soon be performed for the commencement of work on other projects, with targeted project completion in August 2017.

He also announced that the reconstruction of the demolished four-storey Oduro Block on the campus, that had facilities like large lecture theatres, laboratories and offices for lecturers and administrative staff, to enhance teaching and learning, was expected to commence in February this year.

In the 2014/2015 academic year, the polytechnic successfully turned out a total of 3,256 students, made up of 65 who received Bachelor of Technology degrees, 3,146 Higher National Diplomas (HND), with 45 Civil Engineers being awarded HND Competence-Based Training (CBT) certificates from the National Board for Professional and Technical Examination (NABPTEX).

Income-generating ventures
The rector further disclosed that plans were far advanced to establish a printing press, rejuvenate the driving school, commercialise the autotronic centre and retool other production units to serve as income-generating ventures for the polytechnic.

Rev. Prof. Eshun again indicated that T-Poly was in the process of upgrading its clinic into a hospital with state-of-the-art facilities in order to deliver quality health care to the polytechnic community and the public.

He also indicated that the polytechnic had signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with universities in China to provide full scholarships to academic staff to pursue various PhD programmes, adding that as part of the MoU, 10 members of staff were expected to benefit from those scholarships this year.

He said T-Poly was again in final talks with some universities, such as Vaasa University of Applied Science and College of Vaasa, both in Finland, and Plymouth University in the United Kingdom (UK), in areas of joint research, lectures and students exchange programmes.

Strategic plan
Rev. Prof. Eshun indicated that the Polytechnic Strategic Plan for the period 2016-2020 would be presented to the Polytechnic Council in due course and said the plan acknowledged the weaknesses of T-Poly as an institution and identified the challenges it was facing.

In a speech read for her, the Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang gave an assurance that the government would provide the necessary support to polytechnic education in the country.

The Chairman of the T-Poly Governing Council, Mr Joseph Emmanuel Ackah, in his welcome address, said the polytechnic was facing some challenges including inadequate academic facilities which prevented the admission of more applicants.

Mr Eric Koomson emerged the 2015 overall best graduating HND student.

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