Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Education, has indicated that the government is committed to make Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) a major focus of education in Ghana.
The Minister, who made this statement at the official commissioning a USD$ 2 million electro-mechanical equipment laboratory at the Koforidua Technical University in the Eastern Region said his ministry will ensure proper retooling of all technical universities to help them carry out their mandate.
“Government is fully aware of the infrastructural needs of our Technical Universities and efforts have been made at supplying demonstration laboratories for engineering students in some of the technical universities including Ho Technical University by Amatrol. The Ministry of Education is taking steps to provide similar laboratories to the rest of the Technical Universities, and this time it is the turn of Koforidua Technical University to benefit from the facility”.
The Amatrol project started in July 2011 with Takoradi and Kumasi Technical Universities.
The Takoradi Technical University was supplied with petrochemical and Hydraulic Teaching Systems, Kumasi Technical University was supplied with Mechatronics teaching systems which are mechanical and electronics teaching systems combined.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh added that “this technical laboratory is equipped with worldwide industry standard training systems that combine hands-on skills training with its required theory. These learning systems integrate seamlessly into any manufacturing and production setup and cuts across the various technical fields. These learning learning systems are equally effective for technicians, engineers, production workers and anyone needing further understanding and skills in areas such as electronics, electrical, mechanical, automotive and automation”.
The interim Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor, Mrs. Smile Dzisi, said the equipment will equip students with the prerequisite skills required to achieve global work force experience.
“The introduction of Mechatronics engineering programme will enable us to produce students who can design, develop and implement intelligent engineered products and processes to solve challenging technological problems or meet specific human needs effectively using a variety of innovative methods.”
“That is the reason why we are happy today to commission this ultra modern electromechanical laboratory to support our flagship program and boost the study of engineering in KTU for the development of our nation”.
Mr. Paul Perkins, the President of Amatrol, the company which provided the equipment and carried out the installation told Citi News his organization will continue to provide training and refresher courses for lecturers and students to sharpen their skills to enable them use the equipment efficiently and more effectively.
–
By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
