8th Congregation Speech
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4889″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SPEECH BY DR. OSEI K. DARKWA, PRESIDENT, GHANA TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 8TH CONGREGATION CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2014.
GTUC Council Members Present
Our Guest Speaker
Special Guests from Coventry and Aalborg Universities Distinguished Guests GTUC Faculty and Staff present, Proud Family members Friends of Graduands, Graduands,
Friends from the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the University and myself, I wish to welcome you all to this occasion and, secondly to congratulate our graduands for working so hard to this point to harvest the fruits of their labour. As a University, we will remain committed helping build the nation’s human capital through the training of highly skilled manpower. As I stand here today, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride as we turn out these knowledgeable individuals who we expect to fit into various positions in the corporate world, academia and Industry.
Today, 256 graduates will be receiving various awards for pursuing one year graduate programmes at the Masters level and 7 candidates who have pursued three year PhD programmes under Telecommunications /ICT will also receive their awards. Both classes are composed of graduates for programmes that we run in collaboration with Coventry University, UK and Aalborg University, Denmark.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, to everything there is a time and a season. The journey for graduates who pursued our masters and PhD programmes has finally ended. The much awaited day has finally come, and it should be one of celebration and not long speeches. But, permit me to share a few thoughts with you.
Eight years after attaining accreditation, the university college has moved from a modest, humble and challenging beginning and, is now well positioned as a college of quality and distinction, offering professional development programmes and quality tertiary education to over five thousand students. The University continues to be a self-financing institution through internally generated funds and funds accessed in the form of grants from donors and stakeholder organisations.
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to advance the course of delivering quality technology education, GTUC is committed to establishing partnerships with academic and industrial partners from various parts of the world. While consolidating existing partnerships with institutions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, India, China and the United States, the University College recently entered into a new partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Meraka Institute, South Africa. The collaboration seeks to establish a formal relationship between GTUC and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Meraka Institute, South Africa to promote capacity building and the exchange of best practices. It will also provide a framework for the establishment of collaborative research work in the areas of technology, engineering and Information Communication Systems.
Within the sub region, we have academic and training partners in countries such as Benin, Kenya, the Republic of Gabon, Nigeria and Togo.
Through collaborations and partnerships such as these, we have been able to build the capacity of our staff and faculty, brought cutting edge undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to the people of Ghana, introduced highly advanced and innovative educational technologies within our institution, implemented new educational models, and exchanged experiences and best practices.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Technology Research and Innovation Centre (TRIC) which was established earlier this year, is embarking on research which is the life blood of every institution.
The Centre even though fairly new, has held a series of workshops the recent of which is a two day workshop organised in collaboration with Trade Works Limited, an expert in Solar PV systems installation in Ghana. The idea is to develop the curriculum content for Solar PV systems and subsequently use it to train technical personnel in a pilot-test. The VRA and ECG are partners in this collaboration to provide resources and participate in the pilot training sessions.
The project which is funded by Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training(COTVET) under the Skills Development Fund(SDF) is aimed at developing competency based education materials for educating and training technical engineers from key identifiable groups in the energy services industry.
The key players includes Trade Works Limited, Volta River Authority (VRA), and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). These three (3) industry players have committed to partnering GTUC to benefit from the resulting curriculum material from this project that leads to a formal education and certification for individuals who will enroll in the training programme. Additionally, the course will be available to other interest groups who desire to upgrade their knowledge and skills in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
It is expected that, the TRIC will advance the course of research by giving support to Students, Faculty, Institutions and Individuals in their research endeavors. In this regard, I would like to express our gratitude to key partners such as COTVET Trade Works Limited, Volta River Authority (VRA), and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for the support they have given us.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we all need to be part of this celebration of our graduates and to share in their joy and happiness. Graduates as we celebrate with you, it is also worthy to acknowledge the contributions of all the other stakeholders of this University College; the faculty, our partners, administrative and support staff who have made this day a reality for you.
You all deserve congratulations on your academic achievement at your various levels. Even though you are graduating from this great institution, your training here at GTUC has given you knowledge and molded your perception about life and its experiences.
Knowledge and understanding are key elements in the life of every individual and opportunities to acquire these virtues should not be ignored. GTUC therefore invites all of you to its exciting, rewarding and industry relevant programmes from certificate to doctoral programmes.
As graduates of this University College, we formally introduce you to the world to serve as ambassadors of this special community. We present you to the corporate world to announce your readiness to serve, readiness to face challenges and your preparedness to impact the world.
GTUC has exposed you to a lot in terms of contents and experience. You have added value to yourselves and therefore much is expected of you. It is incumbent on you to deliver wherever you go per the training you have received in your respective programmes of study. This is the time to contribute meaningfully to the development of our society and Ghana as a whole.
Albert Einstein once said, “Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible”. Pursue your dreams no matter how weird they might seem to others. Commit to your vision and the drive to succeed. You shall surely make it.
Your status in society has changed; opportunities will come to you and we urge you to take advantage and make a difference. Your contributions will help make our society better.
When the good times come, as they will, please don’t forget your alma mater. Contribute substantially in kind and in cash so this institution can continue to evolve into one you can be proud of.
On behalf of the University and on my own behalf, I congratulate all of you.
Ayekoo
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