The Premier Technical University, Accra Technical University (ATU) has emerged as the winner of an inter-university debate organised as part of activities marking 10 years since its transition from a polytechnic to a technical university.
The competition placed the University of Ghana (UG) second, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) third, and Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) fourth.
The event brought together students from the four institutions to demonstrate their debating skills and engage in intellectual discourse on issues relating to higher education and national development.
The debate formed part of activities to commemorate ATU’s transition to technical university status in 2016, providing an opportunity to reflect on the gains, challenges and future prospects of technical education.
Gloria Crusader Babson, a member of the ATU Debate Society and winner of the competition, attributed the university’s victory to consistent training, thorough preparation and the team’s determination to excel.
Speaking after the competition last Friday (October 16), Babson dismissed suggestions that ATU had won because it hosted the competition, insisting that the team’s performance earned it the top position.
She said the team had prepared adequately for the motions and adhered to the principles governing competitive debates.
Babson said the achievement had strengthened the team’s resolve to continue improving and make the university proud at future competitions.
ATU targets international honours
Looking ahead, Babson said the Debate Society hoped to participate in the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship in December and win medals and trophies for the university.
She said ATU had previously participated in international debating competitions, including the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship, and was determined to build on that experience.
Call for constructive engagement
For his part, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Y.H Kutsanedzie, urged participants to approach the debate with intellectual rigour, decorum and respect for opposing views.
He said academic engagements should provide opportunities for reflection and learning, adding that constructive disagreement was essential to meaningful intellectual discourse.
The Pro VC stressed that the anniversary should not only be a celebration of the university’s transition but also an opportunity to evaluate its experiences and achievements.
Transition
A former Dean of Student Affairs of ATU, Dr Martin Owusu Amoamah, said the elevation of polytechnics to technical universities in 2016 followed an assessment process and was effected through an Act of Parliament.
He said the transition had brought positive changes, particularly in the confidence of students and their ability to apply practical skills after graduation.
He explained that technical university graduates were equipped with employable skills that could enable them to secure jobs or establish businesses to create employment for others.
Dr Amoamah said the 10th anniversary was worth celebrating, even on a modest scale, because of the progress made since the transition.
He said the debate was also intended to assess the contribution of technical university education and encourage interaction between students from different higher education institutions.
