Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4

October - December 2019 EditionHo Technical University: Adanu Nazu Kekeli

FACULTYA C T I V I T I E S February Regular Admissions in progress. Application E-vouchers

are on sale at all branches of Ghana Post Company and Zennith Bank.Apply for B.Tech, HND and other programmes by logging on to

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EDITORIAL

We bring to you the last edition of The

Informant as we bring down the curtains on the year, 2019. This edition features the Vice-Chancellor’s New Year message, Induction of Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga as first Vice-Chancellor of the University, 3rd Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series and the 20th Congregation Ceremony of Ho Technical University. Others include HTU taking full administration of the Ho Poly Basic School and a working visit by the delegation from Rhine Waal University to Ho Technical University. We wish you the best of the festive season.

HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY ASSUMES FULL ADMINISTRATION OF THE THEN HO POLY BASIC SCHOOL See story at page 2

3RD VICE-CHANCELLOR’S DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES OF HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY see story at page 6

2019 has been a fruitful year for Ho Technical University.We must be grateful to the Lord Almighty for all His blessings upon us as a family.

We successfully hosted maiden Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Ghana, two Congregations and the Investiture of the first Vice-Chancellor of the University. Our Students and Faculty won a number of Awards, projecting our image. Our internationalisation efforts have seen a major boost in terms of partnership with other Universities across the world. The icing on the cake is that we have started a 4-year degree programme in Hospitality Management and others yet to start hopefully in the New Year. We can only be grateful to God.Even though we had our own challenges, we need to count our blessings for how far the Lord has brought us as individuals and a University. As we celebrate the Yuletide, let us be rebirthed in our individual resolutions and be refreshed during the holidays for a new year, 2020. Let us be optimistic of the future which looks bright. May the Good Lord be our helper as we aim at achieving greater things for HTU and ourselves in 2020 and beyond.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

VC’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

HTU INDUCTS PROF. BEN Q. HONYENUGA AS FIRST VICE-CHANCELLOR

The Governing Council of Ho Technical University held an

investiture for Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga on Saturday, October 12, 2019, to induct him into Office as the first substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University. See story at page 4

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page TWO

FACULTYA C T I V I T I E S

c o r n e r

Ho Technical University (HTU) Basic School was launched at a colorful ceremony on Wednesday, December 18,

2019, at the G.M. Afeti Auditorium of Ho Technical University. The School, formerly known as Ho Poly Primary and JHS, was established in 1985 in an Engineering Laboratory of the University. It is, now, fully under the Management of the University.The University assumed full administration of Poly Basic School after the Ghana Education Service through the Regional Directorate presented documents of the school to Prof. Ben Honyenuga, the Vice-Chancellor. This act has transitioned the erstwhile Ho Poly Basic into Ho Technical University Basic School.Mr. Freeman Gobah, the Country Director of Pencils of Promise, an educational non profit organisation in the Volta Region, chaired the occasion.

In a speech read by the Regional Public Relations Officer of Ghana Education Service, Mr. Divine Agoha, on behalf of the Regional Director of Education, advised staff, parents and pupils entering the new system to be ready to adjust to the

HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY ASSUMES FULL ADMINISTRATION OF THE THEN

HO POLY BASIC SCHOOLMr. Nicholas K. Awagah is a Charted Quantity Surveyor with over 18 years

of diversified experience in Procurement Management practices, Quantity Surveying and Building Technology. Mr. Awagah holds MSc. in Procurement Management and BSc. in Building Technology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), Ghana. He also holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building Technology from Accra Technical University (formerly Accra Polytechnic).

In addition to his academic qualifications, Mr. Awagah is a certified member of Ghana Institute of Surveyors (MGhIS), Ghana Institute of Construction (MGIOC) and Institution of Engineering and Technology, (MIET) Ghana. His area of interest and expertise are: procurement management; handling of procurement processes, general quantity surveying (building and civil engineering works) and project management skills/contract administration. Mr. Awagah has a vast experience in Works and Physical development during his tenure as Head of Works Department at Lower Manya Krobo, Ho West District Assembly, Ashaiman Municipal Assembly and Keta Municipal Assembly. He, also, served as the Municipal Quantity Surveyor at Ga-East Municipal Assembly. He participated in several professional training, seminars and workshops key among them were: Donor funded project management skills-procurement, Information Technology for Rural Development (National Institute for Rural Development-NIRD Hyderabad, Andrea Pradesh-India), Hydrological Survey & Contract Management, Terms of Reference for Consultancy & Contract Works, etc. Mr. Nicholas Awagah was appointed as the Director of Works and Physical Development by the Governing Council of Ho Technical University after successfully going through a rigorous Search Committee interview and was recommended for appointment. He was appointed for a 4-year tenure which commenced 1st September, 2019.

Mr. Nicholas KofiAwagah

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4 Page THREE

changes in the pipeline. She added: “May I advise that we all quickly make the necessary adjustments that this change is bringing so that no one gets left behind”.

On his part, Prof. Ben Honyenuga, the Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University, assured the gathering of a committed process to see the University Basic School achieve the aims of its founding fathers. He, further, added that staff of the school will be migrated to the University payroll with corresponding earnings. The Vice-Chancellor, further, elaborated plans to address infrastructural and logistical needs of the school to make it a model school of choice.The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by pupils and staff of the HTU Basic School, parents, officials of GES and

the traditional authorities led by Togbe Anikpi III of Ho Heve.HTU Basic School was established in 1985 by Mr. J.Y Vodzi, the then Principal of Ho Technical Institute, with the aim of providing quality education for children of the staff in the Institute and the surrounding community in a workshop of the Engineering Department of the Institute.It moved to its current location in 1998 because of the swift increase in pupils’ enrolment.The school currently has a population of 458 pupils (243 girls & 215 boys) with the staff strength of 29 comprising 23 regular teachers, 2 Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) and 4 National Service Personnel.

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page FOUR

HTU INDUCTS PROF. BEN Q. HONYENUGA AS FIRST VICE-CHANCELLOR

The Governing Council of Ho Technical University held an investiture for Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga on

Saturday, October 12, 2019, to induct him into Office as the first substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University. The investiture of Prof. Honyenuga was held in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium.Present at the event were dignitaries from the public and private sectors, regulatory bodies, Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of Technical Universities and Polytechnics, Heads of Government Departments & Agencies, Chiefs, Faculty and staff.The Induction of the Vice-Chancellor was conducted by Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu (SVD), Catholic Bishop of Ho Diocese. The Guest of Honour for the ceremony, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State-in-Charge of Tertiary Education extolled Prof. Honyenuga’s appointment. In his speech, he noted that the educational landscape of the country was fast changing in response to critical needs of the society, thus, he challenged Technical Universities, specifically Ho Technical University, to chart new path of enhanced research and innovation which should be distinct from other Universities.

Prof. Yankah, further, charged Prof. Honyenuga to build a solid foundation and future for Ho Technical University, whose vision carved a niche and led to the blooming of Ghana’s hospitality industry.Again, he admonished the Vice-Chancellor and

Management of the University not to relent on discipline. To expatiate further, Prof. Yankah disclosed that when discipline breaks, excellence cannot be meaningfully determined. Also, he called on students and staff of the University to respect the rules and regulations of the University at all times to maintain a sterling image for the University.

To add his voice, Prof. Emmanuel James Flolu, Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, said that the appointment of Prof. Honyenuga was historic and a blessing to the University. This is because Prof. Honyenuga is the first internal faculty member appointed as the academic and administrative head of the University. The Chairman of Council beseeched staff and students of the University to support Prof. Honyenuga to succeed stating his “office is the embodiment of the soul of the University,” and, further, pledged the support of the Governing Council of the University.Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, the newly inducted Vice-Chancellor of the University, pledged to push forward the internationalization agenda of the University in a bid to expand existing international collaborations and move research in the University from the cradle to the international level.In addition, Prof. Honyenuga pointed out his commitment to provide quality leadership, promote enhanced research and publication and practical innovations

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4 Page FIVE

to reposition the University as the reference point of Technical Vocational Training and Education (TVET) in Ghana and globally.

Subsequently, the Vice-Chancellor hinted that the University is in the process of organising series of capacity building fora with the formation of intra and inter disciplinary research teams to address Technical and Vocational Education and Training challenges facing the world.

Prof. Honyenuga gave an assurance that his administration would promote collegiality among faculty and staff. He noted that the University under his leadership would be run as an “entrepreneurial University” by providing commercial services to its community as a source of student practical training and income generation for the

University.

He called for unity among faculty and staff stating, ‘the future of Ho Technical University looks bright and promising but dependent on support for one another’. He cautioned against indiscipline and negative publicity.Goodwill messages were, warmly, received from Staff Unions in the University, former heads of the institution, close relatives of the Vice-Chancellor, the immediate past interim Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University, Chairman of Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities, Ghana (VCTU-G), Asogli Traditional Council, Bishop Herman Old Boys Association (BHOBU), etc.A well-attended Dinner and Thanksgiving Mass were held in honour of Prof. Honyenuga on the eve of Saturday, 12th October, 2019, and Sunday, 13th October, 2019, respectively.

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page SIX

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4 Page SEVEN

HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY HOLDS 20TH CONGREGATION

Ho Technical University held its 20th Congregation on Saturday, 7th December, 2019, in the G.M.

Afeti Auditorium of the University. One Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Three (1,123) graduands from the 2018/19 Academic year were awarded Degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HND) after successfully completing their programmes of study. Out of this number, 1,057 pursued Higher National Diploma (HND) and 66 pursued Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) Programmes.

Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, the Vice Chancellor of the University, in his address said the institution has recorded massive progress in the quest of fulfilling its core mandate of training highly competent human resource through career focused education, skills training and research, in partnership with stakeholders, hence, contributing to national development.He added that the University was undergoing series of reforms to reposition itself as a global player in teaching, research and extension services. Our current focus, to make Ho Technical University a global player, resulted in training and exchange programmes for faculty, staff and students in partner Universities and industries worldwide.The University has embarked on other programmes aimed at improving teaching, learning, research and innovation, Prof. Honyenuga reiterated.He commended the graduands for their sacrifices during their period of study and urged them to justify their skills and knowledge in the world of work, while being worthy ambassadors of this noble University.For the first time in the annals of the University, students were graduating in the same year of successfully completing their programmes of study, a feat, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga, said would be sustained as he commended faculty and staff for their contributions to the change in status-quo (paradigm shift).Prof. James Flolu, Chairman of the Governing Council of Ho Technical University, in addressing, the Congregation gave the assurance that the University would continue to engage and work with all stakeholders to deepen its reputation as the reference point of Technical Education in Ghana and beyond.Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, the Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour, in his speech, stated that the reform and transformation of the TVET system are important if we want our country to take an upward economic trajectory. He challenged the graduands to use part of their national service allowances as start-up capital as the certificates they have been awarded would inevitably open up new avenues for entrepreneurial

ventures to boost the SME Sector aside having access to higher level of training. He, further, urged the graduands to always prove to be worthy ambassadors of the University, by upholding the high standards, integrity and values the University inculcated in them.Ms. Florence Kwadade, a graduand in HND Purchasing and Supply was adjudged the Overall Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.77.

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page EIGHT

RHINE WAAL UNIVERSITY DELEGATION PAYS WORKING VISIT TO HTU

A team of 8 officials from Rhine Waal University of Applied Science in Hochschule Rein-Waal,

Germany, paid a working visit to Ho Technical University from 11th November to 15th November, 2019.

This was the third delegation from the Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences who visited the University as part of a 4 year academic exchange programme between the two partner Universities.

As part of activities for the visit, members of the team did presentations during seminars for members of the various Faculties and Administrators of Ho Technical

University. There were co-sharing engagements between the two sides during the period.

Some of the topics for discussion were Renewable Energy and Storage, Global trends of Humans Rights of Staff in Hospitality and Tourism Industry, Taxation and International Law. The others were Renewable Internationalization and Funding of Universities.The team, also, visited some tourist sites, such as; Mount Gemi at Avatime – Amedzofe and Tafi Atome Monkey Santuary all in the Volta Region.

27TH MATRICULATION CEREMONY OF HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The 27th Matriculation Ceremony of Ho Technical University was held on Thursday, 7th November,

2019, in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium. This ceremony was to usher fresh men and women for 2019/20 academic year into the University. A total of 1,440 students were admitted and matriculated for Higher National Degree (HND) and non-tertiary programmes for the 2019/2020 academic year.

Nine (9) postgraduate students were, also, matriculated to pursue Master of Technology (MTech) programmes in Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering at the School of Graduate Studies. Dr. Christopher K. Amehoe, the Registrar of Ho Technical University, warmly welcomed all matriculants to the ceremony and took them through the matriculation oath.In addressing the matriculants, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga,

the Vice-Chancellor of the University charged them to count themselves privileged and take advantage of all opportunities in the University to excel academically. He encouraged the matriculants to merge academic excellence with moral integrity and be self-disciplined.

Prof. Honyenuga admonished the matriculants that the University frowns on examination malpractices and that is the quickest way to get out of the University if they so wish. Furthermore, he advised the matriculants against inappropriate use of social media and negative peer-influence behavours such as: drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual assaults and other social vices and urged them to make the Students’ Handbook their guide.

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4 Page NINE

On the issue of sex for grades, the Vice-Chancellor reminded the matriculants that the University has zero tolerance for ‘sex for grades,’ therefore, the students should be confident, study hard and graduate successfully.

3RD VICE-CHANCELLOR’S DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES OF HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The 3rdVice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture of the University was held on Wednesday, 13th November, 2019, at 10:00 am

in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium. The lecture was dubbed “Implication of the Triple Helix Model for Technical

Universities in Ghana: Fulfilling the University’s Third Mission”.The main Speaker, Professor Domwini D.

Kuupole, the Former Vice Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, declared that technical universities must be strategic in outlook, think differently and deliver innovation and high-level practical skills learning culture at all times.He said the harmonious synergies between technical universities, industry and government, an act described as the Triple Helix Model, would position the institutions as

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page TEN

indispensable partners in the country’s industrialisation drive.Prof. Kuupole added that the interdependence and relationship between the trio had the propensity to drive the general agenda of building and delivering a developed economy and knowledge-based society.He, therefore, called on the leadership of Technical Universities to shun mediocrity which he defined as ‘the region in our lives bounded on the north by compromise, on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking and on the west by lack of vision’.Prof. Kuupole concluded that technical universities were bedeviled with several challenges amidst globalisation, technological explosion and rapidly changing industrial demands, which included inadequate facilities and equipment or poor training and environment or mismatch between acquired skills and market needs or inadequate professionally qualified technical faculty and negative public mindsets.On the other hand, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, the Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University called for a stronger collaboration betweenTechnical Universities,

industry and government in order to deliver the Technical University’s agenda as a fulcrum for accelerated national development discourse.Again, he reminded us that the technical universities’ agenda, in full flight, should run as entrepreneurial institutions which provide the commercial services and patents for income generation and skills transfer.Prof. Honyenuga envisioned lessons from the lecture series. He noted that the lecture series would be taken seriously to engender the national discourse on technical and vocational skill training to sustain the growth agenda.Dr. Christopher K. Amehoe, the Registrar of the University, was of the view that the lecture series had stimulated many academic discourses to steer development in the right direction and believed the students, lecturers and partners would make good use of the issues raised to better their lots.Prof. Honyenuga, as part of the event, presented a citation to Prof. D.D. Kuupole for exemplifying academic prowess in the delivery of the lecture and for his professional progression.

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 4Page TWELVE

Editorial TeamMrs Eli AtatsiEditor-In-Chief

Ms Yvonne NutakorEditor

Mr Isaac S. Meyir Production Manager

Mr Samuel KwameLayout Designer

Ms Divine A. Gbagbo Production Assistant

Mr Hubert M. Yevu-AgbiProduction Assistant

Post Office Box HP 217Ho-Volta Region

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Tel: +233-3620-26456Fax: +233-3620-28393E-mail: info@htu.edu.ghWebsite: www.htu.edu.gh

HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY HOLDS 4TH ENGLISH PROFICIENCY GRADUATION CEREMONY

On Wednesday, 4th December, 2019, twelve (12) students from

the Republic of Benin, who undertook a 3-month English Proficiency Programme, received their Certificates from the Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University, Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga. The students who attained the Intermediate level were the 4th batch of students enrolled on the programme being run by the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences of the University.