The Vice-Chancellor of the Sunyani Technical University (STU), Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, says more continuous efforts are required from the institution's stakeholders to sustain and improve their visibility. 

According to the VC, some recent measures by the management contributed to an appreciable increase in student enrolment at the university.

The total enrolment of 3,014 students for the 2022/23 academic year is an increase of 30.2 per cent over the previous year’s figure of 2,104. 

He said though the increase can be attributed to the improved visibility of the university from the 55th Anniversary Celebration in 2022 and the introduction of new academic programs, more is required to improve it.

“This calls for more efforts to continuously improve and sustain the visibility of the university through advertisement of its new Engineering, Science, and TVET academic programs to attract more prospective students, especially foreign students into the university," he said.

He further noted that when the patronage of such skill-oriented industry-driven programs is improved, it would help produce more skilled and entrepreneurially inclined graduates.

These graduates, he said, can find jobs or set up their businesses to help accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana. 

“This will also reduce the proclivity of other institutions having the opportunity to produce many graduates in the choked sectors of the national economy in order not to worsen the existing high spate of youth unemployment in the country," he further emphasized. 

Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah spoke at the institution's 27th matriculation ceremony in Sunyani in the Bono Region, Friday, March 10, 2023.

The event was held to formally admit the fresh students with the swearing of the matriculation oath of the University.

Admission letters were issued to a total of 4,934 prospective students, but only 3,014, representing 61.1 per cent, including two foreign students, were admitted for the 2022/23 academic year. 

The enrolled students include only 833 females (27.6 per cent) for which the VC asked for their protection and measures to entice more females in subsequent years. 

In all, 2,503, representing 83 per cent, enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and TVET programs as against 511, which constitutes 17 per cent in the Humanities, a situation the VC said falls in line with their mandate as a Technical University.

He announced that STU has received accreditation to run programs in Engineering, Science and Technology, Visual Arts, and Business disciplines, which include 21 BTech, 22 HND, and other programs.

He, therefore, entreated prospective students “to take advantage to enrol on these industry-driven programs to acquire the requisite knowledge, technical and professional skills that will make you readily employable to avoid the temptation of joining the so-called ‘Unemployed Graduates Association’ after school."

Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah assured students of improved measures to secure their security, including a police post on campus, an enhanced lighting system, security patrols, and visibility.

He, however, urged students not to be careless about their security.

He advised the students to be disciplined and law-abiding and exhibit a high sense of purpose and diligence in pursuing their academic careers to enable them to achieve the required skill sets and competence that will make them successful in the world of work.

“Anti-social practices such as violation of laid down rules and regulations; including examination malpractice, alcoholism, betting, and sexual promiscuity, would not be tolerated by Management," he said.

The VC also urged them to report all cases of Sexual Harassment, be it student-against-student or staff-against-student to the Office of the Dean of Students to seek redress. 

He also implored the students to take advantage of the support funds at the University, including sponsorships to students who come up with innovations and inventions through the STU Research and Innovation Fund (STURIF).