Story: Robert Kyei-Gyau, Kumasi

The Kumasi Polytechnic has a new faculty, the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, which is to provide specialized manpower training for the health sector.
The new faculty will also train Laboratory Technicians, Dispensing Technologists, Nursing and other health related professionals.
The Rector, Professor Nicholas N. N. Nsowah-Nuamah, who announced this at the first Convocation meeting of the Kumasi Polytechnic, said, two new centres, one office and one directorate have also been set up.
These are the Research and Innovation Centre, the Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education, the Office of International Affairs and Institutional Linkages and the ICT Directorate.
Professor Nsowah-Nuamah said, these new developments were in fulfillment of his pledge, during his investiture, to take the Polytechnic in a new direction that would seek to make it more relevant to meeting the manpower needs of the country.
He said temporary directors and deans for the two centres and the new faculty have been appointed.
According to the Rector, the Polytechnic has recruited 131 staff, comprising 57 Lecturers, seven Research Fellows, nine Assistant Registrars, eight Research Assistants, ten Administrative Assistants and 28 Junior Staff.
He said an ICT Director, Business Development Manager, Internal Auditor and a Deputy Director of Finance have been appointed.
The Rector announced that four Senior Members were awarded scholarships to pursue PhD studies in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Statistics and Food Science.
“In addition, we have given scholarships to 25 staff including 12 PhD, six Masters, five first degrees and two HND,” the Rector said.
Professor Nsowah-Nuamah said, the Kumasi Polytechnic was vigorously pursuing collaborations with local and international institutions, which would yield positive dividends in the near future.
He said, during his trip to China, he signed memorandum of understanding with seven Chinese universities to run four-year Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Pharmacy, Computer Science and Business Administration at the Kumasi Polytechnic.
“The students will do two years here and the remaining two years in China. Almost all the universities want to set up a Chinese language centre here,” he said.
The Rector said the Polytechnic was also collaborating with the Shanzi University for the establishment of a Confucius Institute, at the Kumasi Polytechnic.
When established, he said, K-Poly would qualify to receive between $125,000 and $159,000 from the Chinese government every year.
Professor Nsowah-Nuamah said the Kumasi Polytechnic has an appointment with the Scottish Government later this month, to discuss funding and scholarships for the institution.
He affirmed his pledge to run an open-door policy and invited staff of the Polytechnic put across their concerns without fear and devoid of prejudice.
The Chairman of the Council of Convocation, Mr. Joseph Kofi Boakye, in his address, said the Polytechnic faced several challenges.
Mr. Boakye said, for a very long time, the Polytechnic’s management has not been accountable to staff as, for unexplained reasons, it refused to appear before a proper Convocation in bygone semesters.
He said, the newly constituted Council of Convocation would challenge the Rector to be accountable and open to suggestions.
Mr. Boakye advised members of Convocation not to turn the meeting into a platform for criticizing individuals or settlement of personal squabbles but rather direct their attention to the proper management of offices, departments and faculties.
“The Convocation meeting is not a platform for witch-hunting and neither is it an avenue to put people on the carpet but it is to deliberate on issues that will bring progress to the Kumasi Polytechnic. If necessary, give praise where it is due to motivate,” Mr. Boakye said.
He said it was refreshing to note that for the first time, the Polytechnic has in place a proper Convocation as only Senior Members qualify to be members.

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