Clean-Up Exercise at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
Composter Design Contest
Prof. Acakpovi Advocates Workforce Development and Sustainability in Hospitality at Institute’s Biennial Conference
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Accra, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, has stressed the vital role that technical universities in Ghana play in preparing students for the job market. He made this statement at the 12th Biennial Delegate Conference of the Institute of Hospitality held at Accra Technical University on February 28, 2024. Addressing the theme of the conference, “The Hospitality Workforce: Enhancing Employee Satisfaction, Professionalism, and Productivity for Sustainable Development,” during his keynote address, Professor Acakpovi drew attention to technical universities’ substantial contributions to the country’s development and underscored the crucial need to align educational programmes with industry requirements, ensuring that graduates are thoroughly prepared for employment opportunities. ” We must equip them in a manner that not only prompts them to seek employment but empowers them to create job opportunities,” he stated. Professor Acakpovi articulated that technical universities play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry by providing students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the job market. He highlighted the need for educational institutions to adapt their curricula to meet the evolving demands of the workforce, thereby enhancing graduates’ employability and contributing to national development initiatives. Additionally, Professor Acakpovi stressed the importance of fostering partnerships between technical universities and industry stakeholders to facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning opportunities for students. These collaborations, he noted, not only enrich students’ learning experiences but also enable them to acquire hands-on skills and industry insights essential for professional growth and success in their careers. He highlighted the essential role of the hospitality sector in Ghana’s economic development and stressed the need for continuous investment in workforce development initiatives. He pointed out the significance of enhancing employee satisfaction, professionalism, and productivity within the hospitality industry to ensure its long-term sustainability and growth.
Accra Technical University Matriculates More than 10,000 Fresh Students for the 2023/2024 Academic Year
Accra Technical University officially matriculated over 10,390 new students for the 2023/2024 academic year. The matriculation ceremony, held at the university auditorium on Saturday, March 2, 2024, was a momentous occasion where heartfelt congratulations were extended to the incoming students, marking a record-breaking number of admissions. This significant milestone initiated thousands of students into the esteemed student body of Accra Technical University (ATU), granting them the privilege to embark on their academic journey there. Guided by Registrar Dr. (Mrs.) Sylvia B. Oppong-Mensah, the matriculating students solemnly took an oath and pledged obedience after the presentation by deans from different faculties. Following this, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Amevi Acakpovi officially welcomed them to the university, honouring their commitment with the administration of an oath. In his address at the matriculation ceremony, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Amevi Acakpovi warmly welcomed the new students, underscoring the university’s commitment to providing resources and fostering a vibrant community. He highlighted impressive admission statistics, with nearly 11,000 students welcomed, including 10,390 who completed their registrations. Among them, 4,614 students are pursuing a Bachelor of Technology degree. Professor Acakpovi emphasised the importance of abiding by the institution’s rules, with a focus on learning and academic excellence. He stressed the need for students to develop skills and competencies while becoming familiar with the university’s online systems for information exchange. Highlighting the university’s global reach, Professor Acakpovi noted the growth in the international student body, constituting 1.5% of the total student population, with 160 international students contributing to the thriving campus community. This marks an 18.7% increase in the entire population from the previous year. Underscoring the crucial role of determination in academic success, Professor Acakpovi encouraged new students to aim for excellence in their respective academic pursuits. He emphasized that outstanding performance could open doors to scholarships and other advantageous educational opportunities. Additionally, Professor Acakpovi highlighted the enduring impact of the academic tools available to students, urging them to fully leverage these resources for a rewarding and successful university experience. The matriculation ceremony was organised in three segments, starting with students from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, followed by students from Applied Sciences and Arts, and concluding with the section dedicated to students from the Business Faculty.
Prioritise Employee Satisfaction and Professionalism in the Hospitality Industry for Sustainable Growth
The Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality Plus Limited, Top of Form Dr. Joseph Mensah-Ansah, has urged stakeholders in the Ghana Tourism and Institute of Hospitality sectors to prioritize the enhancement of employee satisfaction, professionalism, and productivity for sustainable development. Addressing the inaugural session of the 12th Delegate Conference of the Institute of Hospitality at Accra Technical University, themed “The Hospitality Workforce: Enhancing Employee Satisfaction, Professionalism, and Productivity for Sustainable Development,” Dr. Mensah-Ansah underscored the crucial role employers play in investing in their workforce for long-term growth and productivity. He emphasised the necessity for stakeholders to establish a positive and conducive working environment that fosters employee satisfaction. Dr. Mensah-Ansah highlighted the significance of work plan development, job autonomy, work-life balance, recognition, reward systems, and growth opportunities as key factors influencing employee satisfaction in the workplace. Additionally, Dr. Mensah-Ansah reiterated the importance of promoting employee job satisfaction through training and job development initiatives. He pointed out the positive impact of providing opportunities for skill enhancement, career advancement, and demonstrating organisational commitment to professional growth within the industry, noting that employees who receive adequate training are more likely to feel competent and satisfied in their roles. He encouraged employees to prioritize their professions by engaging in training programs aimed at enhancing their professional expertise within their respective fields. Dr. Mensah-Ansah stressed the importance of thorough preparation and a serious approach to one’s profession. Dr. Mensah-Ansah also used this opportunity to raise recommendations for the Institute of Hospitality to proactively develop continuous professional programs for its members, create local incentives for various membership categories to stimulate association growth, organize career sections, enhance visibility through awareness creation events, and actively voice concerns on national issues affecting the industry. Dr. Patricia Owusu-Darko, President of the Institute of Hospitality (IH), stressed in her address the importance for industries and organisations to bolster professionalism through investment in training and development programs. These initiatives aim to equip employees with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in their respective roles.
Are you ready for the 75th Anniversary Inter-University Debate competition?!
Are you ready for the 75th Anniversary Inter-University Debate competition?!
Accra Technical University to Run Masters’ Programme Next Academic Year – Acting VC
Professor Amevi Acakpovi, the acting Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University, has declared that the institution has secured accreditation to introduce master’s programmes. Out of the 25 master’s programmes submitted to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, nine have received partial accreditation and are set to commence in the upcoming academic year. These programmes include a Master of Science (MSc) in Logistics and Transport Management, an MSc in Marketing Strategy, Administration, and Management, an MSc in Construction Technology and Management, an MSc in Food and Bioprocess Engineering, an MSc in Integrated Infrastructure Systems, and an MSc in Interior Design Technology. The announcement was made by Professor Acakpovi during the University’s 23rd Congregation, where 5,862 graduates in Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Diploma programmes were honoured. The event, themed “75 Years of Impacting Society and Driving Innovation,” took place at the National Theatre in Accra. Additionally, Professor Acakpovi revealed that the University’s Governing Council has sanctioned a scholarship fund and allocated GHc 400,000.00 for disbursement in the 2022/2023 academic year. “For the 2023/2024 academic year, the Council has again approved an amount of GHc 400,000.00, with the scholarship committee working on selecting successful applicants,” he said. He added that Progress in Education, a charitable organisation in 2023, offered scholarships worth GHc3,500.00 per beneficiary to 10 needy female students in STEM programmes. The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation also granted scholarships to 13 deserving students pursuing various HND and BTech degree programmes. He mentioned that the University had established Centers of Excellence with backing from external stakeholders via grants, aimed at providing training in digital literacy and artificial intelligence skills through the AFOS DigiCap Laboratory for both staff and students. Additionally, the Center collaborated with A-Tech Korea to develop drone technology, facilitating the training and certification of students in operating unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. Prof. Acakpovi highlighted the University’s progress within its 134-acre facility at Mpehuasem, Samsam in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, particularly in providing practical sessions for engineering and built environment students. Furthermore, he noted various Memoranda of Understanding signed by the University, including one with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, fostering exchange programmes. In terms of rankings, he mentioned the University’s placement as the 28th best in sub-Saharan Africa and 4th in Ghana according to the 2022 Times Higher Education rankings. Prof. Acakpovi advised graduates to maintain a positive outlook to drive their future endeavours forward. However, he also pointed out challenges such as encroachment at the Mpehuasem campus, poor access roads, and obstacles in obtaining financial clearance for employment. The guest of honour for the occasion, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, assured the University of government support in safeguarding their property against encroachment and addressing their challenges. He emphasized the government’s efforts to bridge the gap between industry and academia to create sustainable employment opportunities and foster growth. The Deputy Minister called for international collaboration to tackle societal challenges and redefine the principles of higher education. Dr. Eugene Asiamah-Boadi, Lead Counsel at the Legal Relief Trust and the Congregation Speaker, urged the graduating class to cultivate a clear vision for their future endeavours, emphasizing that “everything starts with the mind.” He encouraged them to collaborate in teams, uphold principles of integrity, and avoid practices detrimental to their progress. Michael Ayiku, recognised as the overall best student in the BTech programme within the Faculty of Built Environment, attributed his success to the transformative influence of generosity. He vowed to utilise his acquired knowledge for the betterment of the nation. Johnson Antwi was honoured as the best-graduating student in the engineering program, while Abraham Asoyele received the same accolade in BTech Science Laboratory Technology. Naa Odoley Amoako-Asiedu excelled as the top graduate in BTech Fashion Design and Textile Production, and Husseini Muhammadu stood out as the best-graduating student in BTech Accounting. Each awardee received a plaque, certificates, and a monetary reward in recognition of their achievements.
Transforming Healthcare Through Design Thinking: The Accra Technical University’s Africa Health Research and Innovation Project (AHRIP) Journey
Bridging Gaps, Inspiring Students, and Impacting Stakeholders in African Healthcare In the dynamic landscape of global health challenges, the Research, and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to fortify African research and innovation ecosystems. The Accra Technical University’s Africa Health Research and Innovation Project (ATU-AHRIP), a pivotal component of this programme executed under the auspices of a grant, stands out for its unique approach – the adoption of the Design Thinking Methodology for fostering innovation in Ghana’s health sector. Design Thinking Methodology Unleashed At the core of AHRIP is the Design Thinking Methodology, a human-centered problem-solving approach that places people at the heart of the innovation process. This methodology, grounded in empathy and understanding user needs, served as the guiding framework for the project’s two boot camps, where students underwent an immersive “learning by doing” experience. The first boot camp unfolded over three weeks at the Accra Technical University Campus, engaging an average of 50 students per day organised into groups of five. Facilitators from ATU and Design Thinking Ghana Hub (DTGH) collaborated, ensuring a robust transfer of knowledge and capacity-building. Students delved into modules such as Introduction to Design Thinking in Health Care, Deep Dive into The Double Diamond, and Conducting Ethnographic Research. Building on the insights gained, Bootcamp 2 focused on ideation, prototyping, and testing. The teams refined their prototypes through low-fidelity prototyping sessions, supported by mentors and coaches. The iterative nature of the design thinking process ensured that solutions were desirable, viable, and feasible. A crucial aspect of the design thinking process, ethnographic research, involved teams immersing themselves in stakeholders’ environments. Through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and shadowing, students uncovered authentic stories and gained profound insights, contributing depth to the collected data. Impact Beyond Borders – Nurturing Young Minds The project’s reach extended beyond Ghana with design thinking boot camps for Senior High School (SHS) and tertiary students. The SHS Design Thinking Bootcamp introduced 60 students to the methodology, cultivating a culture of innovation from a young age. Tertiary students benefited from a hands-on experiential learning opportunity, navigating the design thinking process from empathy to testing. A one-day virtual design thinking session for West African participants expanded the project’s impact internationally. The session, attended by 30 participants from partner Nigerian Universities, showcased the power of design thinking in creating innovative solutions. Beyond the virtual interactions, the project’s collaborative efforts included working visits to institutions engaged in ethnographic research. The Validation Workshop prepared teams for an upcoming innovation fair, emphasising the transition from prototypes to Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Monitoring and Evaluation: A Holistic Approach A robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system tracked project progress and participant outcomes, utilizing surveys and in-depth interviews to measure effectiveness. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) were seamlessly integrated from recruitment to prototype development, ensuring diversity and inclusion throughout the design thinking process. Impact Stories and Triumphs: A Glimpse into the Future Encouraging interest from stakeholders and a proposal to include design thinking as an elective course at ATU highlight the project’s success. The exhibition of 29 prototypes, including innovations like a blood warmer and a lump detection device, showcases the tangible impact of ATU-AHRIP. The ATU-AHRIP stands as a beacon of innovation, transforming healthcare through the Design Thinking Methodology. With a focus on empathy, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the project exemplifies the potential for design thinking to drive positive change in African research and innovation ecosystems. As the prototypes transition to real-world applications, the lasting impact of the ATU-RISA Project on healthcare in Ghana and beyond is poised to be significant.
Accra Technical University Launches 75th Anniversary; Unveils Logo
Accra Technical University has launched its 75th anniversary to mark over 75 years of impacting society and driving innovation. The colourful ceremony occurred at the university’s auditorium on February 9, 2024. The interim Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, highlighted several accomplishments of the university, including a rise in student enrollment, the establishment of Centres of Excellence, the acquisition of a second campus at Mpehuasem, infrastructure development, and expanded revenue-generating initiatives. However, he acknowledged existing challenges such as encroachment and inadequate access roads to the Mpehuasem campus, hurdles in obtaining clearance to hire more staff, and the necessity for additional vehicles. In his address, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Dr. Wilfred K. Anim Odame, praised the government for its ongoing commitment to ensuring the significance of TVET in national development. On her part, the Deputy Minister of Education, overseeing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Mrs. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, urged master craftsmen to participate in training opportunities and embrace the digital age for acquiring new skills. She emphasised the significance of master craftsmen possessing the appropriate skills to contribute to the nation’s development. The anniversary logo was revealed during the event. It featured shades of metallic gold and Bahama blue, symbolising the institution’s steadfast dedication to being a reliable authority in TVET and academic pursuits, as well as its unwavering commitment to maintaining rigorous academic benchmarks. Celebratory events for the anniversary comprise various activities such as games, a CEO series/public lecture, a vice chancellor’s conference, an awards ceremony and dinner, a grand exhibition and fashion showcase, an anniversary concert, and a Thanksgiving service.
