The first batch of polytechnics in Ghana to be converted into technical universities is expected to be announced in 2016 as discussions on the criteria are concluded.

Enquiries by Luv News suggest five of the ten polytechnics in the country are ready for the conversion; foremost amongst them is the Kumasi Polytechnic.

K-Poly has already set the process in motion with series of capacity building workshops to prepare its academic and non-academic staff for enhanced performance after the conversion.

Rector, Prof. Nicholas Nsowah Nuamah, says in order not to gamble with the future of the technical university, the human resource base of the polytechnic must be oriented to take up the new challenge.

“We need to conform to best practices of Universities,” he said. “The blend of management is what we envisage would provide leadership to take the Kumasi Polytechnic to the promised land of Kuntenase with milk and honey produced by the Technical University of Kumasi (TUK)”.

The Polytechnic has acquired a 301-acre land at Kuntenase for the establishment of the main campus of the TUK, in addition to another 200-acre land at Piase to serve as the Entrepreneurship Village of the institution.

Former Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education, Dr. Paul Effah, is leading the training for heads of departments of the Kumasi Polytechnic.

He told Luv News skills development is crucial for the polytechnics to produce strong management for the successful running of the technical universities.

According to him, there is the need for a balance between theory and practice to train students to fit into the world of work.

“They would also have to enhance the quality of the teachers who are here and even send more to upgrade their skill and knowledge base,” said Dr. Effah.

He added that intense collaboration with industry will be the way to go for the technical universities.