Polytechnics to be converted into universities in 2014

Government’s decision to convert the nation’s Polytechnics into Universities is expected to take off next year.

At present, government is studying an interim report submitted by the technical committee which was tasked to draw a blue print for the paradigm shift.

This is intended to create more opportunities for students who are desirous of acquiring higher academic laurels.

Deputy Minister in charge of Tertiary Education, Hon. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa dropped the hint at the 10th Graduation ceremony of the Africa University College of Communications (AUCC) in Accra.

According to him, government is contented with private investors support to the education sector and will do everything possible to ensure the sustainability of private schools in the country.

“H.E President John Dramani Mahama has directed the GET fund to work out modalities so that private universities and private tertiary institutions in Ghana can begin to benefit from the GET Fund; this is because we have all come to the recognition that the private investment in education is not just testing the ground but indeed they have become a mainstream, permanent and invaluable contributors to training our human resource and building capacity in this nation, Africa and beyond.”

As part of the education reforms, Hon. Ablakwa announced that plans were afoot to privatize the Basic Education Certificate Examination in 2015.

He said the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had approved the private BECE system to help address some of the challenges associated with the old scheme.

“In September 2014 WAEC will launch this new scheme; they will advertize on the modalities and in February 2015 the first batch of BECE private sitters or re-sitters will take their exams and we hope that this will contribute to the quality and flexibility that we want our educational system to have.”

Founder and Chairman of the African University College of Communications, Mr. Kojo Yankah urged the graduates to serve as Ambassadors of change in their communities.

“Invest your time profitably on activities that will inspire and uplift you and waste less time on unproductive venture; aim to be an icon for your family, for your community, for your nation and ultimately for your continent.”

He continued saying, I urge you to join the ranks of those who seek solutions rather than excuses; be amongst those who aim to excel and not those who are preoccupied with settling on mediocrity.”

Mr. Yankah charged the Governing Council and management to ensure that AUCC obtains its charter to run its own degrees under the name African University.

In recognition of the universities achievement’s, he further tasked the Governing Council to expand the course offerings to include BA in General Arts and Sciences, BSc in ICT and Multimedia Studies and certificate and diploma courses under the yet to be established Centre for Policy and Diplomacy and Centre for Creative Writing.

SOURCE[citifmonline.com/Ghana]