Inadequate staff and physical facilities have denied some 886 qualified students admission to the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).

These students had applied to study to be trained teachers in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Entrepreneurial Development.

Officials have attributed this unfortunate situation to inadequate staff and facilities in the educational institutions.

“Our inability to admit more of the applicants was the result of challenges we face regarding inadequate staffing and physical facilities,” said Vice Chancellor, Professor Frederick Sarfo.

School officials say while that is a clear vote of confidence in the quality of the school's academic offerings, it exposes the pressure that is ever-mounting on facilities.

AAMUSTED received about 10,702 applications at the close of its admission application process.

Out of that, only 8,714 applicants got admission, representing about 81.42 percent although about 9,600 of the applicants qualified for admission.

They will be training as professional teachers in TVET and Entrepreneurial Development to teach in all TVET institutions in Ghana.

School authorities say they are working with like-minded institutions, and organizations such as the Commission of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) to expand some of its facilities.

“…we are working assiduously with other institutions, agencies and organizations such as the Commission of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) to expand these facilities at both the Kumasi and Asante Mampong campuses of the university."

Support for Less Endowed

The institution has a partial scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy students from less-endowed families.

Professor Sarfo added that the number of students with special needs also increased compared to the last academic year.

” …we are working to improve and expand the scheme to cater for more disadvantaged and vulnerable students of AAMUSTED. We are happy to say that we were able to admit a good number of the Free Senior High School graduates from less-endowed areas.”

He added that management of the school is working round the clock to encourage students who have financial problems to apply for the Students Loan Trust Fund to support their education.

Professor Frederick Sarfo, said the school will continue to play its leadership role and give attention to skills acquisition and entrepreneurial training to provide support for the government.

He was speaking at the third matriculation ceremony since the institution became a full fledge autonomous TVET and Entrepreneurial Development Teacher Education University.

“…about 730 students, including 60 females, offering Diploma-in-education on our outreach programme are dotted in most parts of the country.”

Ongoing Project

The university is currently in a deficit of some key physical facilities that could further enhance academic work.

Under the circumstance, the university management with the support of the governing council is working tirelessly to improve conditions in the university.

Among the completed projects in Kumasi is the 3000-seater capacity Executive Students Association (ESA) lecture block, another 1500-seater capacity lecture block, the four-storey Opoku Ware II Hall of Residence Extension Block, and the Ultra-modern Entrepreneurship Incubation Centre.

Professor Sarfo said government has promised the completion of a decade long stalled project in the school to avert the infrastructure challenge.

“We have received a firm assurance from the government to complete our 3500-seater capacity convention center. That project has been stalling for over a decade now. We are grateful to the government for its commitment to completing the convention center.

We hope that the government would further assist the university with more infrastructure to do a better job on its mandate”.

The university has started the projects earlier mentioned with internally-generated fund and continues to explore available sources to raise funds to expedite their completion

“In this regard, we appeal to all public-spirited organizations and individuals to support AAMUSTED to develop faster.”

Advice To Matriculants

The four-year training program equips the would-be teachers to become competent professional teachers in TVET, Entrepreneurship and other specialized areas.

They also develop technical and vocational expertise as well as develop entrepreneurship expertise to create their own jobs and enterprises.

In addition, the training program develops critical thinking skills and other cognitive strategies to enable them adapt to new technologies and opportunities.

The matriculants were advised against wasting time and energy on matters that add nothing to the quality of the training they will receive from the university.

“Take advantage of the various opportunities in this university to add value to yourself. Make good use of the various support services such as Guidance and Counseling, the Student Support Desks at the offices of the Vice Deans of Students”.

Professor Sarfo implored the students not to become unemployed graduates after their training.

“We guarantee you an excellent and fulfilling academic experience in your areas of specialization in addition to training in entrepreneurship to enable you prepare to create your businesses in the future”.