The Kumasi Polytechnic is to introduce a degree course in Medicine and Nursing among other programmes next academic year. Rector, Prof. Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah says the move is part of efforts to further reinforce the relevance polytechnic graduates in national development. For the first time in its history, Kumasi Polytechnic awarded Bachelor of Technology degrees to 56 students who successfully completed their courses this year. At the 7th congregation, Prof Nsowah-Nuamah said the Kumasi Polytechnic in collaboration with Yantse University in China will introduce degree programs in Medicine, Petrochemical Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering from next year. Students who will be admitted to study Medicine will spend two years at the Kumasi Polytechnic and spend four years at Yantse University, while for other degree programmes, students will also study at the polytechnic for two years and spend the remaining two years in China. 12,500 students, comprising tertiary and non-tertiary, graduated. Prof. Nsowah-Nuamah noted that increased population is putting pressure on limited resources. To ease the problem, the polytechnic is currently in the process of relocating its main campus. The school is in the process of acquiring a 300-acre land at Kuntenase in Ashanti to be developed to serve as the main campus of the Institution while the current campus becomes the city campus. Prof Nsowah Nuamah commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Chief of Kuntenase for readily accepting to offer land to the polytechnic.