The Vice-Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University (STU), Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah is urging the government to consider a policy direction to provide incentives for students to read Science and TVET programs. 

Speaking at the 25th matriculation ceremony held virtually on Friday, March 5, Prof. Ing. Adinkrah-Appiah said incentives for students to read these programs at the SHS level can help them qualify for Engineering and Technology programs at the tertiary level.

Providing incentives to Engineering and TVET students at the tertiary level to entice more of the youth to enter into Engineering, Science, Technology and TVET programs according to him, will help to resolve the issue of unemployment facing graduates.

He said, “the enrolment statistics over the past four years at the STU indicate that admission into our Engineering, TVET, Technology and Science-based programs, at both HND and B-Tech levels, have seen an appreciable yearly increase compared with a decline in Business programs”.

“This positive trend must be sustained as a response to our core mandate as a Technical University,” he emphasised.

The University admitted only 2,695 applicants for the 2020/2021 academic year from a total of 5,054 prospective students, representing 53.3 per cent. This is an increase of 17.2 per cent over last year’s total enrolment of 2,299. 

However, the enrolment turn-out for the University fell from 73.3 to 53.3 per cent, whereas an increase in enrolment fell from 20 to 17.2 per cent. 

Out of the total enrolment, 1,796, representing 66.6 per cent are males, while 899 representing 33.4 per cent are females. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation (STEI) programs recorded a total of 1,969 students, constituting 73.1 per cent, compared to Business programs, which recorded 726, representing 26.9 per cent of overall enrolment. 

Mr Adinkrah-Appiah indicated that the fall in enrolment turn-out could be attributed to the keen competition with other public universities in the country for the first batch of free SHS graduates.

He said unlike the traditional universities that adopted other strategies to increase their intake, emerging universities such as the STU have only a little chance of enrolling an appreciable number of students into their newly introduced Science, Engineering, and TVET programs. 

Meanwhile, Prof. Ing. Adinkrah-Appiah says the management of the university has put in place innovative measures including virtual learning tools, to ensure smooth teaching and learning on the university campus.

Placed a ban on all social gatherings and sporting activities on campus, except religious activities which are to be carried out only under strict Covid-19 safety protocols, closely monitored by the university's Covid-19 taskforce. 

He further noted that the university will not entertain students who will engage in deeds that seek to break laid down rules and regulations, such as alcoholism, betting, and promiscuity, as culprits would be made to face the full rigors of the disciplinary procedures.  

He urged the students to read and understand fully the rules and regulations of the university as contained in the students’ handbook and attach seriousness to their studies to attain academic excellence.