The Vice Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, has emphasized the growing importance of skills-based education, stating that traditional university education alone is no longer sufficient in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Speaking on A1 Radio, he noted that an increasing number of students, including those who previously attended traditional universities, are now turning to technical universities to acquire practical skills that enhance employability.
“The world we live in today is all about skills. People who have attended traditional universities are now realizing this and are reconnecting with the new reality by understudying some of the skills at technical universities,” Prof. Alnaa stated.
He argued that the era of merely acquiring theoretical knowledge, often referred to as “big grammar and booking,” is over. Instead, he stressed the need for education systems to focus on equipping students with practical skills that prepare them for the job market and self-employment.
Prof. Alnaa highlighted that Bolgatanga Technical University has fully embraced this approach, ensuring that all courses offered are practical-based with real-life applications. According to him, this strategy has significantly improved the university’s enrollment figures.
“This year, our enrollment has increased by 20%, and some of the students are those who previously attended traditional universities but have returned to acquire a skill,” he revealed.
His comments reflect a broader shift in Ghana’s education system, where technical and vocational training is increasingly recognized as a critical driver of economic development.
As more students turn to technical universities for hands-on training, institutions like Bolgatanga Technical University continue to position themselves as essential contributors to Ghana’s workforce and industrial growth.
Prof. Alnaa called for increased support for technical education, emphasizing that equipping young people with practical skills is key to addressing unemployment and fostering national development.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHZ | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
