The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has welcomed a partnership with the German Development Cooperation’s (GIZ) Academy for International Cooperation. The partnership would see BTU implement competency-based training.
According to GIZ, vocational training plays a central role in the sustainable development of the economy, society, and environment in developing, emerging, and industrialised countries. The TVET Academy supports the development of specialist and action skills for target groups at different levels.
The partnership would see BTU develop courses already started and design new courses to help formulate education for artisans. BTU’s partnership with GIZ would involve the establishment of a team of expert trainers in patterns, mechanics, and factory vocational training.
Additionally, there would be an integration of elements of adult learning techniques into the teaching formats, while trainers would be selected based on their competency and assessed on vocational teaching competencies.
When the Vice-Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) spoke on the Day Break Upper East Show today, Monday, November 13, 2023, he said many local artisans within the Upper East Region would benefit from this partnership.
“We also have these Competence-Based Training (CBT) programs that do not require people to go to SHS before applying. Maybe an apprentice can come and enrol and gradually acquire a doctorate degree.”
“Right now, we are going to roll out about 10 new programs that are supposed to be funded by GIZ. The Upper East Region and Upper West Region have now become part of the program after GIZ did the review and realised that it was important. In fact, we are seeking accreditation. The accreditation process is almost over, and we have begun advertising these programs. The master craftsmen are supposed to be admitted now and come for training and then the apprenticeship later,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Bolgatanga Technical University in the Upper East Region launched a 10-year strategic plan aimed at improving and mastering technical courses in the country.
The plan, according to the university, seeks to increase access, enhance quality, improve financing, and ensure effective governance and management of the university over a 10-year period.
“These strategic priority areas support the university’s commitment to achieving excellence in its core functions of teaching/learning, knowledge dissemination, and exchange, in addition to stakeholder engagement. As a TVET institution, it is the university’s belief not only to equip students with technological skills for their future careers but also to inculcate in them critical minds, concern, and respect for humankind and nature, as well as an in-depth understanding of the world,” Professor Alnaa noted at the launch of the plan.
Professor Samuel Alnaa, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, said, “The process of formulating the strategic plan gave us the opportunity to conduct a smart analysis to determine the challenges ahead and also to outline strategies, “not only to respond to the changing needs of the institution but also to ensure we drive the industrialization agenda through TVET.”
In a subsequent engagement on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show today, November 13, 2023, the Vice-Chancellor for BTU, Professor Samuel Alnaa explained that over the 10-year period, major changes would be in both the physical structure and content of the school.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
