Having obtained the status of a technical university in April 2020, managers of the Bolgatanga Technical University are already eyeing to beat off competition from major Institutions in Ghana and outside the country and to be competitive globally.
To achieve these feats and to propel the institution’s speedy growth as one of the last two polytechnics to have been built and to have attained the technical university status, management of the university have setup an Eight-Member Strategic Planning Committee with the sole responsibility of developing a 10-year strategic plan. The 10-year plan encompasses a 5-year short term development plan.
Members of the 8-member Strategic Planning Committee include Professor Theophilus Azungah, Dean School of Business and Management as Chairman; Prof. Daniel Oppong Sekyre, Dean, School of Applied Sciences and Arts, Member, Dr. Edward Naabil, Dean, School of Engineering, Member, Acting Director, Quality Assurance, Dr. John Bosco Azigwe, Member The rest of the members are, Richard Atia Deputy Registrar, Sebastian Ayaaba, ICT Director, Clement Onmeba, Assistant Registrar and Thomas Mboya Asigri, Acting Director Works.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 and is expected to submit a draft Strategic Plan a month after the inauguration.
Speaking to the Media after the short inaugural ceremony, Interim Vice Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa explained that management of the Institution expect a comprehensive plan that details the challenges, opportunities and alternative revenue resources aside the traditional revenue streams. According to the Interim Vice Chancellor, the University is hoping to compete globally.
“We are just a young institution and we are in our formative stages. We are growing and we have transitioned from a polytechnic to a technical university so we need a strategic direction into the future. In 10 years, where do we expect to be? So, we want the committee to put in place a 10-year strategic plan so that document can direct us. If we don’t have that document, we will be doing things haphazardly.
What we are expecting the committee to do is to identify our main problems and turn those main problems into strategic thrust area and then we can tackle those problems head-on. We have so many challenges and we have to address those challenges so we are expecting that at the end of the day, they should bring a comprehensive document that encompasses all our problems and how we can tackle those problems and how we can grow,” he said.
He continued to say “After the 10 years, we want to be comparable to international standard. We want to meet international standard such that international institutions will also look up to us. We don’t want to be looked down upon again as a young institution or an infant. We should be growing into adulthood in 10 years. So, the growth must be very fast to catch up with those ahead of us so we can measure up to international standards”.
Chairperson of the Committee, Professor Theophilus Azungah, pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering an all-inclusive plan as he appeals for the support of the various stakeholders.
“We members of the committee are humbled and honoured that you have entrusted us with this enormous responsibility. This morning’s programme signals the initiation of a process that will lead to the preparation of a long-term development plan for our noble institution.
This strategic plan is to provide a clear direction and guidance for the optimal use of resources in accordance with prevailing economic conditions. We will focus on the fundamental strengths of our university. How it could be improved and how we can it can best be positioned for the future. The launching of this process also indicates the beginning of the collation of views from all our stakeholders. This process will be very inclusive,” he assured.
