- Advertisement -

Bolgatanga Technical University creating a niche around ecological agriculture

- Advertisement -

The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), as part of the implementation of its 10 year development plan, is creating a niche around ecological agriculture, Professor Theophilus Azungah, the Dean of the Business School and Chairman of the committee tasked with developing the plan, said as much when he spoke with Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show today, Monday, April 3, 2023.

Professor Azungah stated that the niche is to assist in the development of agriculture in the Upper East Region, which is predominantly agrarian. He went on to say that some agricultural practises are detrimental to the environment and decrease soil fertility. As a result, the school would educate farmers about the importance of using best agricultural practices through student training.

“One other aspect [of the plan] is that the niche of the school is ecological agriculture. We live in an area where there is so much environmental degradation, which is also affecting soil fertility. All these things put together bring about low productivity in the area. So ecological agriculture is to introduce best practises in conjunction with farmers. We would carry out research with farmers as to how we can best conserve the environment.”

“Sometimes, even how we dispose of the containers of these chemicals has an impact on soil fertility. So we would carry out participatory research with farmers as to how best we can conserve the soil and improve agricultural productivity,” he said. 

Professor Azungah explained that BTU has already begun engaging and training farmers. Additionally, the institution, through its demonstration farm at Balungu, is training students and imparting knowledge on best practises in agriculture. 

Background

The institution was initially established as a Polytechnic in 1992 under PNDC Law 321 (1992), and thereafter converted to the status of a Technical University in April, 2020, in line with the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922), as amended. The Act, 922, mandates the University to provide higher education in Engineering, Science and Technology-based disciplines, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Applied Arts and related disciplines, and award degrees including honorary degrees, diplomas, certificates and other qualifications agreed upon by the Governing Council Currently the University offers a number of Bachelor of Technology degree programmes, Higher National Diploma (HND) and non-tertiary programmes in TVET, business and science-related disciplines. Preparations are underway to introduce postgraduate programmes.

In order to achieve the University’s mandate as stipulated in the Act, 2016, (Act 922), as amended, the University’s Governing Council decided to develop a 10-year Strategic Plan (2023-2032) to guide the University’s medium-to-long-term growth. The purpose of the plan is to provide direction in the medium to long term for the University, by creating a conducive institutional environment for academic and entrepreneurial training. The plan provides guidelines and specific actions, timelines for relevant activities, roles and responsibilities, rresources,and the monitoring and evaluation required for success. The Strategic Plan is in two phases: 2023-2027 and 2028-2032

The methodology adopted was broad-based, open, and participatory consultation with internal and external stakeholders, such as: students, staff, employers, employees, alumni, and specialists from various areas, including community sector players. The committee also reviewed the strategic plans of other universities. The purpose was to obtain their input and buy-in for developing a stakeholder-owned document for ease of implementation, accountability, and good governance.

The Strategic Plan puts forth a key aspiration for the university to become a leading Technical University in Ghana and beyond, producing skilled, knowledgeable and employable graduates in various disciplines for industry. To realise this aspiration, the University will promote effective and quality teaching/learning research, community service and resource mobilisation.

The first phase of the Strategic plan, 2023-2027, aims at positioning the Institution to become a leading technological university while the second phase, 2028-2032, seeks to consolidate the gains made thereof. In this regard, the University has developed seven (7) strategic priority areas that seek to:

  1. Increase student enrolment taking into account diversity, quality and equity
  2. Improve infrastructure, facilities and services for teaching, learning and research
  3. Strengthen and improve teaching, learning, research and community service. 4. Improve Internationalisation and stakeholder collaboration (ie., university/industry/alumni)
  4. Strengthen ecological agriculture through research, teaching/learning, training and extension services
  5. Improve resource mobilisation and utilisation 7. Improve corporate governance and management systems

The implementation of these strategic priority areas should propel the University to its desired destination as a preferred tertiary institution. This requires new thinking, commitment, resource mobilisation and funding from both internal and external stakeholders.

Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

- Advertisement -

MOST POPULAR

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related news

- Advertisement -