Takoradi University of Technology has graduated 24 persons with disabilities in its 23rd congregation, achieving a commendable feat of inclusive TVET education at the Ghana University of Technology.
Speaking to the congregation where 6,166 students successfully graduated in the 2022/2023 academic year, TTU Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. John Frank Eshun, said the graduation of persons with disabilities signified TTU’s determination to bridge the gap between persons with disabilities. He said that this is the realization of the Able-bodied and disabled people in access to higher TVET education.
“The graduating class includes 24 students with disabilities, 20 with hearing impairments and 4 with physical disabilities. This led to the establishment of the Disability Support Services Department in 2017. Since then, the total number of deaf students the university has produced is 164, which is the highest among all universities in Ghana during this period. We celebrate five years since the establishment of the Department of Disability Support and Services for Education.”
“Integrating hearing-impaired students into regular classes is unique to our university, but comes with challenges in communicating instruction, acquiring language, and understanding abstract concepts. , we remain committed to our challenge of pursuing an inclusive education that reflects the special needs of these outstanding learners at the University,” he added.
However, he appealed for further funding to enable universities to maintain their disability support departments and ensure that more disabled people have access to the highest level of TVET education.
“As information technology advances, the university will utilize assistive technology, such as hearing aids and special laptops, to help hand over classroom and workshop instruction to these special students. “We are asking the business community and the international community to provide funding for this purpose,” he added.
As part of the University’s efforts to increase program options, the Vice-Chancellor also announced that Takoradi University of Technology has received accreditation for six new Master of Technology programs.
“We are pleased to announce that a total of six new MTech programs have been accredited this year…The accredited MTech programs include Innovation and Enterprise Development, Mechanical Engineering, Power Generation Systems and Integration, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Mathematics and statistics, and construction engineering management,” he said.
He also said that Takoradi University of Technology, through the European Union-funded Sustainable Partnership Project (TCSPP), is collaborating with Italy’s Palermo Maritime Institute to provide maritime training and certification in professional maritime skills. He added that a center was being established. Compliant with International Maritime Organization standards.
Chairman of the TTU Governing Council, Dr. Samuel Amo Tobin, also spoke at the 23rd Congregation, saying that the TTU administration had done a lot during this period, but called on the government, the Ministry of Education and Western countries to . Regional Coordination Councils to assist universities in infrastructure development. Lecture rooms, laboratories, and workshops to meet the university’s ever-increasing number of students and their learning demands.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutum, the Government of Ghana said it remains committed to increasing Ghana’s total tertiary education share from the current 20 percent to 40 percent by 2030.
A total of 322 Bachelor of Technology graduates were awarded first class degrees and 1,596 were awarded second class or higher degrees. Regarding the Higher National Diploma, 194 people obtained the 1st class and 1,776 people obtained the 2nd class Advanced.
The Barrier Break First Class Award in the disability category for 2022/2023 was won by B-Tech Graphics graduate Buabeng Ama Andowa.
The overall best graduate award for TTU Congregation 23 was won by Ms. Michelle Akoto Boateng, a student of the Department of Tourism Management, who received five awards.
Her awards include: Best Graduate Female in Applied Science, Best Overall Graduate in Applied Science, Best Overall Graduate HND Student and Best Overall Graduate HND Female Student.