1. education

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7TH congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY NEWSLETTER. SEPTEMBER, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
The
7th congregation of Sunyani Polytechnic was
held on Saturday, 30th August, 2014 at the school’s
auditorium where 2013 graduands received Bachelor of
Technology (B. Tech) degrees in Building Technology;
and various awards in Higher National Diploma (HND)
including Accountancy, Marketing, Secretaryship and
Management Studies, Building Technology, Electrical and
Electronic Engineering, Hotel, Catering and Institutional
Management, and General Agriculture.
The total number of graduands for 2013 was 1,024 out of
which 26 had first class, 401 had second class upper, 509
had second class lower, and 88 had pass. The overall best
graduand for the academic year was Miss. Monica
Agyemang Safo who had first class in HND Secetaryship
and Management Studies.
The ceremony attracted a large number of people
including government officials, chiefs, parents, guardians,
students and members of the press.
In attendance was the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional
Minister, Hon. Justice Samuel Adjei who represented the
Minister of Education; and the Executive Secretaries of
National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE),
National Accreditation Board (NAB), National Board for
Professional and Technician Examinations (NABPTEX),
and Chairpersons and Rectors of various polytechnics.
We publish here, the speeches delivered by the Rector,
Prof. K. T. Djang-Fordjour, and the Council Chairman,
Dr. Kwasi Asomah.
Speech delivered by Prof. K. T. Djang-Fordjour.
Rector of Sunyani Polytechnic on occasion of the 7 th
congregation of Sunyani Polytechnic held on Saturday
30th August, 2014.
Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Naana OpokuAgyeman
Hounourable Brong Ahafo Deputy Regional Minister,
Justice Samuel Adjei
Executive Secretary (NCTE)
Executive Secretary (NAB)
Executive Secretary (NABPTEX)
Members of Sunyani Polytechnic Council
Chairpersons of sister Polytechnic Councils
Rectors of sister Polytechnics
Registrars and Finance Officers of sister Polytechnics
Nananom
Members of Convocation
Members of the Alumni Association of Sunyani Polytechnic
Graduands and Students of Sunyani Polytechnic
Parents and Guardians
Members of the Media
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen
Welcome
It is a joy for us to welcome you to our campus, on special
occasions like this. I, therefore, join the Chairman of
Council, to thank all of you for honouring our invitation to
the Seventh Congregation Ceremony. The presence of
Nananom every year to witness this occasion is a
visible evidence of your interest in Polytechnic Education.
Honourable Minister of Education, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Congregation affords us the opportunity to honour an
important statutory obligation, that is, the conferment of
academic awards on its graduands and for the Rector to
report on the state of affairs in the Polytechnic. My report has
been detailed out in the brochures which have been
distributed to you. I hope you will take time to read the
report so that you will know about our achievements and
challenges.
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7TH congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY newsletter. September, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
Today, a total of one thousand four hundred and fifty
six (1,456) students would be presented for awards of
Higher National Diploma in Engineering, Business and
Management Studies, Applied Science and Technology
and Certificates at the Non-Tertiary levels. These are
students who have successfully completed their
programmes of study for 2013 and 2014 academic
years and have been adequately prepared by the
Polytechnic to fill various positions in industry.
Preparation towards Technical University
Mr. Chairman, Honourable Minister of Education,
Nananom, Ladies and Gentlemen, as part of the
Polytechnic's preparations towards transforming itself
into a Technical University by the year 2016, the
Polytechnic has put in place a five year Comprehensive
Strategic Plan to act as a roadmap that would be
regularly consulted. To monitor our progress on the
benchmarks, we have set ourselves to achieve this goal
to indicate our readiness to start a technical university
with two campuses at Duayaw Nkwanta to be known
as Agricultural Technology Village and the main
campus in Sunyani.
Mr. Chairman, the strategic plan to be implemented
within this five year period for the achievement of our
goals include, building world class faculties towards
Technical University status to project our academic
programmes, enhancing the quality of teaching and
learning environment, improving student services,
creating diverse technical university community and
help build the host region’s future.
Rector, Deputy B/A Regional Minister and S-Poly
Council Chairman at the congregation
Inspection of Guard of Honour by the Deputy
Minister
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7th congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY newsletter. September, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
Staff Development
Honourable Minister of Education, I am happy to note
that, the Polytechnic has as many as eighteen (18) of its
staff currently pursuing various programmes at the PhD
level. We still have many PhD applications awaiting
sponsorship but because of financial difficulties we
have not been able to consider them. We are building
the capacity of our staff as well as putting in place
measures mentioned earlier so that we would be on
board when the Polytechnics are converted into
Technical Universities by the year 2016.
Lifting of Embargo on Employment
Honorable Minister of Education, for the past two years
many of our experienced staff have retired and our staff
records indicate that many more are close to their
retiring age. However, we have not been able to
employ to replace them because of the difficulty in
getting clearance from the Ministry of Finance to
employ or give the retiring staff contract appointments.
If this trend continues we would be forced to stop
running some old programmes. I will therefore, plead
with you to intervene for the Ministry of Finance to
allow us to engage these retiring staff and many more
on contract appointment so that we would run the
existing programmes.
Establishment of Youth Enterprise Support Fund by
Government
Two years ago, during our 5th Congregation Ceremony, I
made a passionate appeal to Government to consider
establishing a fund for interested graduates from our
tertiary Institutions who would like to establish their
own businesses after completion of their programmes to
source part of the fund. I am happy to note that some
few weeks ago Government has listened to our appeal
by establishing the "Youth Enterprise Support" (YES)
fund to assist young Ghanaians who have creative and
innovative business ideas and plans to achieve their
potentials to put in their business plans to source for
funds. I would therefore urge you graduands to take
advantage of the fund and come together to develop
business plans to source funds to establish your
businesses to create jobs for yourselves rather than
depending on Government for employment.
Completion of ongoing Projects
Honourable Minister of Education, we have two
projects which have come to a standstill: the Science
Park and the remodelling of the Catering Block that
are very dear to our hearts but unfortunately the
projects are at a standstill. The contractors have
moved out of site because of lack of funding by
GETFund. I would appeal once again to Government
to give approval to the GETFund to allocate special
funds for the completion of the projects.
Advice to Graduands
Dear students, you are now to face the realities of life
outside the academic environment. Job openings are
limited and you may not find work immediately. But
wherever, you may find yourselves, let the training and
discipline you have received from the Polytechnic be
visible in all that you do. Be worthy ambassadors of the
Polytechnic and don't forget to join the Alumni
Association and contribute to the growth and
development of the institution which has trained you to
make you what you are today.
Appreciation to Parents and Guardians
Mr. Chairman, may I use this occasion to thank parents
and guardians for supporting their wards with these
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7th congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY newsletter. September, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
limited resources all these years to make it possible for
them to complete their studies. It is our hope that they
would continue to partner Government to carry
Polytechnic education to a higher level.
Conclusion
Honourable
Minister
of
Education,
Nananom,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to express
my profound gratitude to you all for coming to grace this
occasion with your presence.
Thank you and May God Bless us all.
Procession of Rectors of sister Polytechnics and
officials of Analogous Institutions to the Congregation
Grounds
Procession of members of Convocation
Procession of Traditional Leaders
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7th congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY NEWSLETTER, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
Speech delivered by Dr. Isaac Kwasi Asomah,
Chairman of Sunyani Polytechnic Council
Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Jane Naana
Opoku- Agyemang
Honourable Brong Ahafo Deputy Regional Minister,
Mr. Justice Samuel Adjei
Executive Secretory, National Council for Tertiary
Education (NCTE)
Executive Secretory, National Accreditation Board
(NAB)
Executive Secretory, National Board for Professional
and Technician Examinations (NABPTEX)
Members of Sunyani Polytechnic Council
Chairpersons and members of sister Polytechnic
Councils
Rectors of sister Polytechnics
Registrars and Finance Officers of sister Polytechnics
Nananom
Members of Convocation
Members of the Alumni Association of Sunyani
Polytechnic
Graduands and Students of Sunyani Polytechnic
Parents and Guardians
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Friends of the Media
Introduction
On behalf of the Governing Council of Sunyani
Polytechnic, I warmly welcome all of you to the 7th
Congregation Ceremony of Sunyani Polytechnic. I
would particularly thank the Honourable Minister of
Education for accepting our invitation to grace this
occasion.
I wish also to acknowledge and appreciate the presence
of Brong Ahafo Deputy Regional Minister, the Heads of
various Departments and Nananom who have
continuously honoured our invitation to come in their
numbers to grace such occasions. May I also extend a
special welcome to graduands, parents, guardians,
relatives and friends who have come to witness this
important ceremony.
Purpose of Congregation Ceremony
Honourable Minister of Education, Distinguished Ladies
and Gentlemen, Congregation is a statutory obligation of
the Polytechnics with two main objectives: That is, to
award certificates to successful graduands and to hear the
Rector's address on the state of the Polytechnic.
Core Business of Council
The Polytechnic Council has been working within the
frame work of the Polytechnic Act 2007 (Act 745) and the
Polytechnic Statutes by providing strategic direction to
ensure that the aims and objectives of the Polytechnic are
realized. The Governing Council therefore, pledges to
continue to ensure that all statutory structures within the
Polytechnic function appropriately to guarantee fairness
and firmness in dealing with staff and student matters.
Honourable Minister of Education, you will all agree with
me that Polytechnics have an important role to play in the
socio-economic development of this country. By their
mandate, the Polytechnics have been charged with the
responsibility to among others to:
1.Provide tertiary education in the field of manufacturing,
commerce, science, technology, applied science, applied
arts and any other field approved by the Ministry and
2. Provide opportunities for skills development, applied
research and publication of research findings.
It is clear therefore, that the Polytechnics are expected to
offer students the requisite training which is practically
oriented in specific disciplines that would mould them into
resourceful entrepreneurs who can create private jobs rather
than relying on Government for employment.
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7th congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY Newsletter. SEPTEMBER, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
The Polytechnics therefore, require modern practical
training centres and facilities in support of these efforts.
It would therefore, not be out of place for the industries
to give our lecturers and students opportunities for
industrial attachments during holidays and also plan
visits during the semester.
The Polytechnic Choir singing an anthem
Welcome address by the Rector
Graduands at the congregation
Council Chairman delivering his address
Closing prayer by Rev. Fr. Martin A. Apraku
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7th congregation of Sunyani polytechnic (S-POLY NEWSLETTER. SEPTEMBER, 2014)
Stephen Okyere-Boateng, Senior Assistant Registrar (Publications) & Victor Adoma, Senior Administrative Assistant
Challenges
Projects
Ladies and Gentlemen, last year in my Congregation
speech, I lauded Government's efforts for funding some
of our projects to address our infrastructural deficits. I
also appealed to Government to authorize GETFund to
release funds for the completion of the Science Park
and Hospitality and Tourism Block to ease the pressure
on the few Lecture Halls. Let me once again appeal to
the Minister of Education to impress upon GETFund to
release funds for the completion of the two projects.
Low enrolment of students
The Polytechnics have for some time now been facing
low enrolments and this is due to the fact that many
Private Universities are springing up and the entry
requirements for these Universities are the same as that
of the Polytechnics and they offer some of these courses
which are offered by the Polytechnics. Naturally,
students would prefer going to the Private Universities
where after completion they would be awarded first
degrees instead of Higher Notional Diploma (HND)
certificates.
This has affected the revenue the Polytechnics generate
internally to supplement what they receive from
Government to undertake projects. In order to improve
this situation considerably for the Polytechnics, the
access course which was ran for students with grades
D7 and E8 in their core subjects during the 2013/2014
academic year, should be allowed to continue in the
subsequent academic years.
Inadequate
lecture
halls,
offices
and
housing
accommodation for staff, hostel accommodation for
students, computer laboratories and workshops are some of
the problems facing the Polytechnic. I wish to plead with
Government to make funds available to enable the
Polytechnic to establish more laboratories and workshops
to make teaching and learning more effective and
practicable to reflect its core mandate.
Advice to Graduands
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen let me share a few
thoughts with the Graduands. You should bear in mind that,
the image, reputation and credibility of an institution are
built not only on the quality of its staff and academic
facilities, but more importantly on the quality of its
graduates at the world of work.
Over the years the feedback we have been receiving from
industry reveals that graduates of Sunyani Polytechnic are
performing well in whatever capacity they find themselves
in the various sectors of the economy. I therefore urge you
to ensure that you continue the tradition of hardwork and
excellence at your various workplaces. You should
therefore, consider yourselves as ambassadors of the
Polytechnic and lift the flag of Sunyani Polytechnic high.
Register with the Alumni Association of Sunyani
Polytechnic to enable you offer your quota to assist your
Alma Mater in its development. Accept my congratulations
on your noble achievement
Conclusion
For the sciences and technical courses, the Government
should do all it could to make it possible for all the
Community Senior High Schools to have science
streams. This will make it possible for the Community
Senior High Schools to turn out more science products
every year to feed the Polytechnics and other tertiary
institutions.
I would end by extending my profound appreciation to
Hon. Minister of Education, the Brong Ahafo Deputy
Regional Minister, Nananom and invited guests who have
come from far and near to grace this occasion with your
presence.
I thank you very much for your attention and May God
give you his travelling mercies back home.
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Graduands receiving their awards