Government has released Ghc37 million for the payment of Book and Research allowances for lecturers at public tertiary institutions across the country.
It has also reiterated its commitment to sustain support for educational institutions to train the manpower needed for the expanding economy.
President John Mahama, who was addressing the 50th Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology over the weekend also commissioned a four-storey lecture theatre for the Faculty of Pharmaceuticals. Recently government supported the pharmaceutical industry with 51 million Ghana Cedis to expand. The colourful event was also graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
President Mahama’s address focused on the role educational institution play in the development of the country, his policy interventions, the growing opportunities in the construction and other sectors of the economy and need for research institutions and graduates to help ensure quality deliver.
“The Global economy is a knowledge based one. Government recognizes the overall role institutions like KNUST play in national development. It is making efforts to support educational institutions to meet its role to our national needs. This is why government is involved in new interventions such as the University of Health and Allied Sciences and the University of, UHAS in the Volta region and the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo region which have begun academic work as well as the University of Environment and Sustainable Development to be sited in the Eastern region”
The President further noted that it is in line with plans to have a university in each region that the Wa Campus of UDS will become fully-fledged in the future and Polytechnics are being converted into Technical Universities.
He challenged the graduates to open their eyes wide and tap opportunities especially those provided by the local content bill that binds companies in the downstream oil and gas sector.
"The mark of a good university is not about the great performance on campuses, but its ability to transform people and institutions outside for meaningful development," he said.
The President observed that the construction industry is also boom and can provide over 500,000 jobs. He said while many will take advantage, the graduate must also strive hard to create their tap into the sector by creating their own jobs.
President Mahama also tasked the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research to partner stakeholders in construction to ensure quality roads and other development projects.
He commended KNUST for its initiative in establishing a Teaching Hospital as it would go a long way to increase enrollment for nursing and other paramedical students in the university and beyond.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is also the Chancellor of the University, urged the public particularly the youth, to explore opportunities provided through the advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Touching on the KNUST’s proposed Teaching Hospital project, the Chancellor appealed to the Government to make available funds to help complete the project, which commenced in 2007.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, emphasized the critical role higher education plays in national development and appealed to stakeholders to invest in the sector.
This year’s congregation saw a total of 8,081 students graduating. They include 476 students made up of 425 in Masters of Philosophy in various disciplines and 51 in Doctorate of Philosophy graduates.
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