Dr Komla Dzisi, Principal of the Ho Polytechnic has said the educational institution was at the threshold of offering University programmes and higher professional courses. This, he said, was as a result of arrangements between the Polytechnic and local and foreign Universities and professional training institutions. Dr Dzisi who said these in a report on the Polytechnic at its seventh congregation at Ho, mentioned the programmes and courses as Certificate in Primary Education and Bachelor of Commerce being offered by the University of Cape Coast and Certificate in Technical Education being offered by the University of Education, Winneba, College of Business Education at Kumasi. Others were Executive Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Science (MSc) Industrial Mathematics, Bachelor in Science (BSc) Building Technology and BSc Computer Engineering all being offered at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The rest were MSc Information Systems, MSc International Business, Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Diploma in Marketing and Certificate in Marketing being offered by the London Centre of Marketing. Dr Dzisi said "It is anticipated that running these programmes would make the Polytechnic more relevant to the needs of the people as well as increase the institution's international visibility." He said the Polytechnic would be provided with computers with inter-net connectivity, books, on-line study centers, under the project. Dr Dzisi also hinted that the institution was planning to introduce Higher National Diploma (HND) in Industrial Art, Civil Engineering and General Agriculture and also to start part-time and evening classes for programmes being pursued at the polytechnic. He said the National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations was considering the Polytechnic's proposal to run a "bridging" programme in Mathematics and English Language for technical and vocational graduates to enable them to pursue HND programmes. Professor Frank O. Kwami, chairman of the Polytechnic Council, said the Academic Board had been tasked to draw a new strategic plan for the institution to replace the current one which would expire at the end of this year. He appealed for more financial support from government and the GETFund and urged industry to support the Polytechnic. Source: GNA