HO POLYTECHNIC ADMISSIONS GO UP...page 20

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

Admissions to the Ho Polytechnic shot up sharply within a year following the provision of more essential facilities for academic and teaching work for students and lecturers.
The completion of the elegant 1000- lecture/ auditorium complex, a 400 room hostel, a four-storey classroom block and a computer laboratory and a library funded under the Ghana Education Trust Fund(GETFUND) at over C10 billion might have fuelled the rush for admission into the polytechnic.
The introduction of the Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech ) programmes in Automobile Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism Management has also added value and credence to polytechnic education.
Speaking at the 15th matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic today, the rector, Dr Komla Dzisi said a total of 1,758 students were admitted for the B-Tech, Higher National Diploma, and Non-Tertiary courses adding that it was against a total of 2,308 applications received for consideration for the academic year.
He said in order to increase the number of students in the Applied Science, Applied Arts and Engineering,a bridging programme has been introduced to offer graduates from Technical and Vocational Schools the opportunity to pursue Higher National Diploma programmes in the Polytechnic.
According to him, 40 students have been admitted to take part in the bridging programme which is being jointly run with the National Board for Professional and Technical Examinations(NABPTEX) with an expected increase in the years ahead.
Dr Dzisi stated that with the coming into force of the new polytechnic law, it is anticipated that more B-Tech programmes would be introduced in the polytechnics in the years ahead.
He stressed the essence of the matriculation oath to tertiary students and said it was aimed at making them to avail themselves to a regime of excellent classroom and laboratory work, hands on skill and field work under the supervision of a highly motivated and dedicated academic staff.
The rector also said the matriculation was a watershed between secondary school and higher education, adding, “you have clearly matured this morning and we are hopeful that maturity will characterize all your activities here at Ho Polytechnic”.
Dr Dzisi therefore advised the new students to abide by the rules and regulations of the polytechnic community since the violation of the tenets of responsible behaviour will not be countenanced.
He asked them to avail themselves to activities of the Students Representative Council, extra curricula activities, health facilities and campus HIV/AIDS policy to stay on successfully throughout their course in the institute.
The polytechnic registrar, Mr F.K Dzineku administered the matriculation oath to the students who underscored good and moral behaviour on campus. The registrar also dissolved the matriculation assembly.