The Current and First Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University has read a full report after his Induction by the Chairman of Governing Council Chief Sulemana Nabila on the 7th of May 2022.
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DR. HILLA LIMANN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY VICE CHANCELLOR’S CONGREGATION REPORT DELIVERED ON SATURDAY MAY 7, 2022 BY PROFESSOR ELIAS N.K. SOWLEY
HE HONORABLE UPPER WEST REGIONAL MINISTER, HON, DR. HAFIZ BIN SALIH
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT PRESENT
MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF DHLTU
HEADS OF REGULATORY BODIES (GTEC, CTVET)
VICE CHANCELLORs OF SISTER UNIVERSITIES
MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS
THE WA NAA
THE KPONGU NAA
THE CLERGY
THE REGIONAL CHIEF IMAM
MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
INVITED GUEST
STAFF
ALUMNI
GRADUANDS
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
1.0 WELCOME
On behalf of the University Council, the Academic board and staff of this University, I warmly welcome all of you to the Upper West Region and to the campus of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University. I wish to thank you all for finding time, despite your busy schedules of work, to Come to participate in the 3rd Congregation Ceremony of this University. It is heartwarming to see all of you gathered here this morning to participate in the 3rd Congregation of the Dr. Hilla Limann Technica! University. Your presence is a manifestation of
your interest in this young University and we are much grateful.
I particularly want to acknowledge the presence of the Upper West Regional Minister, Honourable Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, who is representing His Excellency, the President of the
Republic of Ghana. We are very privileged to have him as our Special Guest of honour, Permit me to acknowledge the presence of the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
The Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University is a public tertiary education institution established by the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922) as amended. The University was converted from a Polytechnic (Wa Polytechnic) to a Technical University in April, 2020 in tandem with the Technical Universities (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1016).
The Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University provides Tertiary education in the fields of Engineering, Manufacturing. Science and Technology. Technical Vocational Education and Training, Applied Arts, and Commerce. The University further provides opportunities for skills
development, applied research and publication of research findings
Mandate
Our mandate is to:
Provide tertiary education through full time courses in the field of Manufacturing, Commerce, Science, Applied Arts and such other areas as may be determined by the authority responsible for higher education.
Encourage study in technical Subjects at Tertiary level.
Provides opportunity for life-long development, research and publication of research findings.
Provide opportunities for lile-long learning based on industry and community demands.
Mr. Chairman, before I proceed I want to use this opportunity to pay glowing tribute to the erstwhile Governing Council, led by Professor Daniel Bagah, the Honorable Upper West
Regional Minister, Honourable Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih and the Overload of the Waala Traditional Area, Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV for the various roles they played towards the conversion of this Institution from a Polytechnic to a Technical Lniversity
3.0 CONGREGATION
Distinguished invited Guests, ladies and gentlemen, as part of our mandate as prescribed by the
Technical Universities Act, 2016 Act 922 section 30 ” a Technical University may hold a Congregation composed of the persons prescribed by Statutes for the purpose of confering
Degrees and awarding diplomas and certificates”
We are therefore here to witness the
Conferment of Higher National
on our 2021 graduands who have satistied all the requirements of the University. This event marks the climax of three years of sacrifice, hard
work and dedication on the part of our students and mentorship, commitment and cooperation on
the part of our staff, both teaching and non-teaching.
Mr. Chairman, on this occasion of the third congregation of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, a total of 311 sudents are graduating today. They are to be confered Higher National Diplomas (HNDS) in the fields of Engineering, Applied Science and Technoiogy Applied Arts and Business Management.
4.0 SITUATIONAL REPORT
4.1 Retooling of Laboratories/Workshops
Mr. Chairman, permit me to use his opportunity to thank the govemment for the continual support to the institution especialy in these challenging times. We wish to acknowledge the commitment of Government in retooling our Workshops and laboratories through the Ministry of Education and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, The University
received various equipment from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) for use by the Faculty of Engineering the University had also received two giant standby generators from AVIC be installed at the Administration block and the workshops. AVIC has roled out some
training program to train selected staff with the requisite knowledge and skills to ena
and skills to enable them operate the equipment properly
4.2 Staffing
In 2021 we received clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit staff into the University In all thirty four (34) staff were recruited to various Departments and Units. The statf stength of the University now stands at two hundred and twenty two (222). This includes both teaching and
non-teaching staff.
Mr. Chairman for a young University like ours, this number is woefully inadequate if we are to fully establish all the administrative structures of the University. We will like to use this opportunity to appeal to Govenment through the Honorable Upper West Regional Minister for technical and financial clearance to recruit new staff as all the Departments and units in the
University are currently understaffed.
4.2.1 Staff Development
Mr. Chairman, in line with our new status as a Technical University, all teaching stalf are required to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree. As a result a number of our faculty have successfully completed their Ph.D programmes and have returned to the Institution whilst some are still pursuing their programmes.
We currently have twenty four (24) teaching staff pursuing their Ph.D programmes, four (4) Administrative staff pursuing their Masters programmes and One Administrative stalf pursuing LLB programme. Three Junior staff are pursuing Diploma programmes.
4.3 Academic
The University is academically structured into Faculties/School and Departments. The University has three Faculties and a School, namely
a. Faculty of Applied Arts Design and General Studies
b. Faculty of Applied Science and Technology
c. Faculty of Engincering
d. Business School
The Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University runs both tertiary and non-tertiury (Diploma and
Certificate) courses We are currently offering fourteen (14) Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes and five (5) Diploma (DBS) programmes.
Mr. Chainman in our quest to run Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.) Degree Programmes, the
relevant documents have been processed and submitted to the Ghana Tertiary Education
Commission for consideration. They are at various stages of accreditation. We are optimistic that we will get the approval to mount these programmes at the beginning of the next Academic
Year. The B. Tech programmes will be ran in two streams; four year straight Degrees and two year top-ups for HND holders
4.4 Stalled projects
Mr. Chairman, as part of the strategic plan of the University, Management initiated the design and Construction of a Vice Chancellor’s Residence, 10No. Staff Accommodation Hall of
Residence (Students Hostel) and a Faculty Building to meet the infrastructure needs of the Institution. However, most of the projects suffered a setback and have not been completed
4.4.1 Hostel Project
One major problem facing the University is the students hostel project which has stalled for many years. The Students’ hostel project is a three-storey facility that has a capacity to accommodate about 800 students and 30 teaching assistants. This project was first awarded in 2008. It was terminated in 2010 after a 30 percent completion rate. The project was re-awarded
in June, 2013 but the contractor did not mobilise to site and the contract was subsequently terminated.
Mr. Chairman, this is the only public University in Ghana without students accommodation
facilities. The completion of the hostel project would resolve the lingering students accommodation problems and improve the low student enrollment rates. We therefore
passionately appeal for assistance to complete the hostel.
The University is also exploring other ways of getting a students’ hostel, including a BoT arrangement. Let me use this medium to invite all interested parties, stake holders as well as
entrepreneurs to assist Management to resolve this pressing issue.
44.2 Faculty Building
Mr Chairman a Faculty building project which was awarded on contracd has also been abandoned. The contract was awarded to WILKADO Construction Works Limited but they have vacated the site since 2012. The building when completed will accommodate all Deens Heads of
Department, Faculty Officers and Examination officers. It also has 47 number Cubicles for
lecturers, 6 number Lecture halls, Exhibition hall and staff common room.
44.3 Vice Chancellor’s Residence
Construction of a Vice Chancellor’s Residence is underway, The project consists of 2-storey 5 bedroom Main Building and a 2-bedroom Outhouse at contract price of Ghc828,556.08. The Project is 63% complete with the buildings roofed and plastered. An amount of Ghc347,462.83 has been spent on the project to date with an estimated amount of Ghc 481,093.25 needed to complete the Project.
4.4.4 10No. Staff Accommodation
Management in 2008 initiated procurement processes for the design and construction of 10No.
(40 Units 2-bedroom) Staff Accommodation with an objective to attract, motivate and retain staff. The projects are being executed by nine different Contractors and are at various stages of completion. (Average state of completion is 71%) The total cost of the project is
Ghc7,658,948.80. An amount of Ghc 3,994,366.31 has been spent to date on the projects with an estimated Ghc 3,664,582.49 needed to complete the project.
4.4.5 Road Network
Mr. Chairman, we want to express our gratitude to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council and the Wa Municipal Assembly for initiating processes leading to the award of the University inner roads on contract. The Ministry of Roads and Highways in response to a request submitted to it through the Honorable Upper West Regional Minister by Management awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the University’s Area Roads in 2018, The contractor has completed works on the drainage and is left with sealing works. However, the contactor has abandoned the site since 2020. With the rains setting in, we want to make a passionate appeal to the Honorable Regional Minster to facilitate payment of the contractor working on the internal roads of the University.
5.0 ADVICE TO GRADUANDS
Congratulations to our 2021 graduands, we are proud of you. Three years ago you were
welcomed into this University with Splendor today we have gathered here to celebrate your achievements. I am sure you were told that Technical University education is not about a acquiring information that you could read on your own from books rather it is about training you on how to
think critically and prepare you for the future.
The future future remains unpredictable but you are adequately prepared for the Future. As we look forward with greater excitement and determination as we send you into
the world of work, it is
Our hope that you will create your own jobs rather than seeking for jobs. ln the Words of Abraham Lincoln The best way to predict your future is to create it”.So create your on future my dear graduands.
Even as you graduate, you should not cut your umbilical cord from the University. Be good ambassadors of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, your alma matter: we encourage you all to join the Alumni Association and support your alma matter,
I hope that your commitment to obtain knowledge does not end with your graduation today but that I will see most of you, if not all of you enroll in the Bachelor of Technology Top-up Programmes we intend to mount in the not too distant future.
Once again congratulations to our gallant graduands.
Thank you all for listening
May God bless us all and may God bless our homeland Ghana.
Source: Upperwestmedia.net