154 graduates from Ghana Telecom University

Published in the Daily Graphic on 7/07/2010, pg 11

Story: Matilda Attram
ONE hundred and fifty-four students who took short courses at the Ghana Telecom University College have completed their six-month studies.
They consist of students who completed their studies in 2008 and 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, a Lecturer at the Centre for New Learning at the DePaul University in the US, Professor Derise Tolliver, said technology was important in the development of every nation.
According to her,technology formed a fundamental section of development that transformed a nation.
"The application of technology in today's world is very essential since it enhances development in every sector of development," she added.
Professor Tolliver challenged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had acquired in all sectors of development to the benefit of their communities.
She also encouraged them to develop in themselves a supreme confidence and creativity to enable them to improve on themselves.
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, indicated that the institution, which was built four years ago to provide education in Information Technology, had made substantial investments in training the youth of Ghana through its programmes.
He said the institution had trained students who could function as responsible global citizens and effective leaders in the increasingly interdependent world as an urgent and challenging task facing the nation.
" We encourage our students, faculty and staff to get involved in their communities; and to use their expertise to try to make a difference in the world," he said.
According to him,the institution had also built academic partnership with a number of institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world to improve its operations.
"The university is collaborating with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, the Aalbog University in Denmark, the University of Applied Sciences at Wildau, in Germany among others in a number of core areas such as capacity building, academic and research co-operation," he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the institution which offered programmes such as IT,Telecom Engineering and Telecom Management, would introduce new ones including post graduate programmes.
"We continue to expand the range of programmes offered within our three faculties. In September this year, we will introduce a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Business Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in supply Chain Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering and Management; and a one-year MBA in Engineering Management.
Two additional programmes at the Masters level in Telematics and Aviation Management will be introduced as well," he added.
Outlining the challenges of the institutions,the president mentioned the lack of hostel facilities for students as a major challenge facing the institution and appealed to organisations and individuals to assist in addressing the problem.
The college currently has a student population of 1,422.