Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 1

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 2

April - June 2019 EditionHo Technical University: Adanu Nazu Kekeli

FACULTYA C T I V I T I E S

Regular Admissions in progress. Application E-vouchers on sale at all branches of Ghana Post Company and Zennith Bank.

Apply for B.Tech, HND and other programmes by logging on to admissions.htu.edu.gh/applicant/ Call 0504450254 / 0500553508

for further information.

ADVERTISEMENT SPACEavailable for institutions and organizationsCall 0208824092 or email:info@htu.edu.gh

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY ALUMNI DONATE TO

DEPARTMENTSee story at page 12

EDITORIALThe second quarter, 2019 edition of ‘The Informant’ Newsletter presents to you stories of major events in the University for the period. These include the HTU/GOIL-CIMG Entrepreneurial, Marketing and Innovation Awards, Donation from the 1992 Alumni of the Department of Building Technology to their Department and the first ever Lecture for Future series which threw the searchlight on issues of climate change and the reality in our country. Of course, one major feature of this edition, is the Vice Chancellor’s Address to Convocation which catalogues several topics vis-à-vis the current standing of the University and the efforts of Management so far. Others are the visit of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of M&D Seeds to the farms of the Department of Agro-Enterprise Development of the University, which the company supports in terms of chemical and fertilisers for practical works of students and the visit of our partners from Finland on dry Toilet Technology project of the Ho Municipality. Enjoy this read.

M&B SEEDS SUPPORTS DEPARTMENT OF AGRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

See story at page 3

ADZIMAH MABEL WINS MAIDEN HTU-CIMG/GOIL ENTREPRENEURIAL

AWARD See story at page 5

See story at page 6

VC ADDRESSES CONVOCATION

The Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, Professor Ben Quarshie

Honyenuga, addressed Convocation of the University for the first time as the Vice Chancellor on June 6, 2019 at GM Afeti Auditorium.

VC’S BRIEF

The second quarter of 2019 has been remarkable in the life of the University because it has witnessed several initiatives and programmes of strategic partnership with international and local

organizations. I am particularly impressed about the donation by the 1992 Alumni of the Building Technology Department to support practical works in that Department. It is my hope that more of the Alumni of the University would emulate this gesture in support of the University’s efforts in training highly skilled manpower for Ghana’s development. The maiden edition of the Lecture for Future series has also been a success. I congratulate Mabel Adzimah for winning the first edition of the HTU/CIMG-GOIL Entrepreneurial, Marketing and Innovation Award. Kudos to our partners for this feat. At the last Convocation held in October, Convocation discussed several issues, critical among them being staff audit and migration of staff to the University Salaries Scheme. Let me use this opportunity to encourage all staff to continue collaborating with Management in these critical moments, so as to surmount the challenges arising as a result of the process. My regards to all.

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FACULTYA C T I V I T I E S

c o r n e r

The Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, Professor Ben Quarshie Honyenuga paid a surprise visit to the faculty

and students of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering during a project defence conference of the Department at the Auto Bay on June 11, 2019.The Project defence conference was organised to assess and mark the final project works of the final year students of the Department. The Vice Chancellor expressed his elation at the quality of works and presentations he witnessed. He noted that such practical presentations and simulations are critical in the skills acquisition of students and that it will boost their confidence in what they have acquired as engineering students. He was particularly happy that the project works were tailored in a manner that seeks to address challenges in society vis-à-vis technological advancement. Professor Honyenuga encouraged the Department to translate some of the engineering designs into real products, at least miniature forms. He said, by so doing, the Department would be adding value to what the University does in terms of addition to knowledge and practice of Engineering. “I see that you are trying to propose solutions to challenges that confront our society. Let us try and put the designs in miniature forms and provide a new forms of the products.”-Advocated

VICE CHANCELLOR SURPRISES FACULTY AND STAFF OF MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AT PROJECT DEFENCEPaulina Nillie Adzoyi is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality

Management at Ho Technical University, where she has been lecturing for close to 20 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Brighton, United Kingdom and currently at the end stage of her PhD studies in Hospitality Management at the Open Universiteit of the Netherlands. She is the co-author of Services Management, Hospitality Marketing and Introduction to Hospitality Business modules for KNUST Institute of Distance Learning. She also co -drafted, a five-year Strategic Plan for Ho Municipal Hospital and a five-year Strategic Plan for Ketu District Hospital. She is currently the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology where she superintends over five departments at Ho Technical University, namely, Departments of Mathematics and Statistics; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Computer Science; Food Technology and Agro Enterprise and Development. She was the Head of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department for four years where she led the Department to establish live restaurant to deepen practical skills of hospitality students and also championed the introduction of the first Bachelor Degree program in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Polytechnic (now Ho Technical University). She has served on several boards and committees including Statutes Review and implementation committee, Scholarships and Staff Development Committee, Standing and Finance Committee, Development Committee, Matriculation Planning Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Ethics Committee, Executive Committee of Academic Board, Graduate School Board, Joint Admission Committee, Budgetary Committee and the Board of Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology. Ms Adzoyi was also an elected member of Convocation on the Ho Polytechnic Governing Council. She also served as the Coordinator for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Distance Learning Programs in Ho for a number of years where she also taught and supervised a number of MBA and BBA theses. She was a consultant and Jury Member for Ghana Tourism Authority and a number of Hospitality Facilities in the Volta region. Paulina N. Adzoyie also chairs a number of hotel Boards. Her international exposure includes the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Germany and Finland. Her research interests are in Customer Retention, Loyalty, Commitment, Service Quality and Tipping in the Hospitality Industry. Ms Adoyi enjoys playing tennis and cleaning as hobbies.

Paulina Nillie Adzoyi

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Professor Honyenuga.The Vice Chancellor also encouraged the students to return to the Department to pursue a top-up for the Bachelor of Technology Degree after completion of the Higher National Diploma programme. He said some of these students stand the chance of participating in exchange programmes at the Rheine Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany, a partner of HTU. Two group presentations witnessed by the Vice Chancellor for which he commended the students highly for the display of practicality were the HTU Racing Tyre

team presentation and the remodelling of commercial tricycle known as ‘Keke’. The students of these two groups were urged by the VC to translate these works into tangible Engineering works that have the tendency of enhancing the image of the University as the best in Engineering training in Africa. The Head of Department, Rev. Dr. Ing. Seth Theodore Dzokoto, commended the VC for his visit which was an encouragement to the staff and students of the Department.

M&B SEEDS SUPPORTS DEPARTMENT OF AGRO

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

As part of efforts to breach the academia-industry gap, the Department of Agro Enterprise Development

has secured the support of M&B Seeds for logistics supply, knowledge sharing and internship for students of the Department. Students of the Department have been undertaking their internship and practical training at the production sites of the company, M&D Seeds in Ho, where they are taken through practices of plant breeding and related farming practices. As part of the support of M&B Seeds to the Department, the company provides fertilizers, chemicals and farm implements for students’ practical works on the University farms.During a recent working visit to the farm, the Chief Executive Officer of M&B Seeds, Ben Kemetse, took students through some rudiments of nursery and

replanting on the University farms, located behind Volta Premier FM. He showed them some symptoms of the devastating Fall Army Worms which have ravaged several farms in Ghana in recent times and techniques to use in curbing the disease on the farm. He reiterated ‘weeds bring disease and fights for water with plants, and should be regarded as enemy to the

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farmer.” The CEO of M&B Seeds expressed satisfaction at the progress of work by the students on their respective farm projects. He called for further and closer collaboration between industry players and the University for mutual benefit.‘’These kind of partnerships would ensure value for

money for employers and industrialists.’’- He stressed.Dr. Kenneth Fafa Egbadzor who supervises the practical farm works assured Mr. Kemetse of the readiness of the Department to share field research findings with the company for mutual benefit.

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ADZIMAH MABEL WINS MAIDEN HTU-CIMG/GOIL ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD

Ms Mabel Adzimah, a Purchasing and Supply student of Ho Technical University (HTU), has

been adjudged the winner of the maiden HTU-CIMG/GOIL Entrepreneurial, Marketing and Innovation award.Her pitch on flavoured iced kenkey beat five others and won her the ultimate prize of Seven Thousand Cedis, (GH¢ 7,000.00) to expand and market her food and beverage business.The award, sponsored by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), was instituted by the Group CEO/ Managing Director of GOIL and Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Personality of 2016, Patrick Akorli, to promote youth entrepreneurship and job creation among students.The Hundred Thousand Cedis (GH¢ 100, 000.00) award scheme for tertiary students is for a five year period to help fund winning start up ideas and help students apply practical touches to theories learnt in class to grow the local economy.Food Eminence Ventures Limited made up of three students, Kufoalor Edith Mihoese, Anani Faith and Sheriff Nnadozie, came second and picked a cheque for

Six Thousand Cedis, (GH¢ 6,000.00.)A total of six groups made up of 12 students pitched their business ideas for support after they were shortlisted out of 18 proposals.Dr. Ametefee Normanyo, the Chairman of the planning committee of the event, said the HTU-CIMG/GOIL Entrepreneurial award was to challenge students to be innovative and develop skills for self-employment.Professor Ben Honyenuga, the Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, in a speech read on his behalf commended GOIL and Mr Akorli for the foresight and said the awards offered the necessary exposure to young entrepreneurs and underscored the need for start-up capital for young businesses” to help them break the ground.”Mr Akorli, also in a statement, made on his behalf, charged the students to make the best out of the opportunity and urged the University to groom all those who participated in the pitching exercise at its business incubatory facility.All participants were given certificates.

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VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS TO CONVOCATION ON THURSDAY 6TH JUNE, 2019, AT THE G.M. AFETI

AUDITORIUM

INTRODUCTION

Statute 47 of the Ho Technical University Statutes enjoins the Head of Institution to address Convocation at least once every

Semester to brief members on the state of the University and its future. As the current head of the University, I wish to use this opportunity to shed light on some major activities over the period to define where we are currently as an institution and thereafter, indicate where the University ought to get to in the coming years.Colleagues, the administration of the University was handed over to me as the Acting Vice-Chancellor on 1st October, 2018, after the completion of tenure by Prof. E.K. Sakyi, the former Rector/Interim Vice-Chancellor of the Institution. By 31st October, 2018, two (2) other key officers namely Mr. Kennedy K. Deh, the former Finance Officer/Interim Director of Finance and Mr. Godsway Oyiadzo, the former Internal Auditor/Interim Director of Internal Audit also exited after eight (8) years of service to the Polytechnic/University. The exit of these officers really posed managerial challenges to the administration of the University. By the grace of God and with support the Chairman and Members of the Governing Council, The Academic Board, Members of the Executive Management Committee, Deans and Directors, Heads of Department and Unit, Convocation as well as all staff, the University remained focused on attainment of its vision and mission. Thank you all. Your valuable contributions continue to encourage us.

ACADEMIC INITIATIVES Approval to mount five (5) four-year Direct Bachelor Programmes Colleagues, the conversion of Ho Polytechnic to a Technical University brought about the development of new Bachelor programmes for the University. I wish to announce that we have received approval from the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to introduce the following five (5) four-year direct Bachelor of Technology programmes at Ho Technical University:

1. Bachelor of Technology in Information Communication Technology

2. Bachelor of Technology in Food Technology3. Bachelor of Technology in Tourism, Leisure and Events

Management 4. Bachelor of Technology in Fashion Design and Textiles5. Bachelor of Technology in Hospitality Management.

Just like Oliver Twist, we look forward to receiving approval for the introduction of other equally relevant programmes to enhance our capacity to deliver on our mission to provide skills training and career focused education to the highest level possible and to contribute to the developmental needs of our nation and the world at large. The approval to run these programmes call for attitudinal change in programme delivery to our most important customers- the students. Business as usual should therefore be a thing of the past. Join me to commend the Deans, Heads of Department and Academic Staff of Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology and Faculty of Art and Design for their dedication to the programme development process.

Teaching and Learning Ladies and Gentlemen, the Technical Universities Act enjoins us to adopt CBT methodologies of Teaching. I am happy to report to Convocation that we have virtually trained all academic staff in this regard. Management in conjunction with the TVERC Centre held training workshops for academic staff to acquire certification as CBT Facilitators and Assessors. The training workshops were held from 8th – 9th April, 2019 and 15th – 17th April, 2019, and on 3rd June, 2019, at the Nkulenu Demonstration Restaurant of the University. Dr. Stephen Turkson, a representative of COTVET on the University Council was the key facilitator for the training workshops. The next step is to modernize our curriculum to reflect the CBT approach. We are the first to organize such a training to all our faculty and wish to commend participants for their dedication.In order to boost teaching and learning at HTU, we have initiated steps to resource offices and classrooms with the needed teaching and learning equipment. We also intend to purchase more projectors,

VC ADDRESSES CONVOCATION

The Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, Professor Ben Quarshie Honyenuga, addressed Convocation of the University for the first time as the Vice Chancellor on June 6, 2019 at GM Afeti Auditorium.

The Registrar, Dr. Christopher Amehoe, who also doubled as Secretary to Convocation, welcomed members of Convocation and declared Convocation duly constituted. Dr. Amehoe commended members for turning out in their numbers. The address of the Vice Chancellor covered a wide range of pertinent issues including recent developments in the University, Successes chalked, Challenges confronting the University and the way forward. Below is the full address of the Vice Chancellor.

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computers and related accessories in addition to other essential teaching and learning materials for Faculties and Departments of the University. Further, a Learning Management System has also been developed by the Computer Science Department to aid teaching and learning in the University. The system is currently undergoing testing for deployment.

19th Congregation Ceremony of Ho Technical UniversityThe 19th Congregation Ceremony of Ho Technical University was held on Saturday, 30th March, 2019, in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium at which 1,290 graduands were awarded various degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HND). The Congregation has been rated by our external guests as very well organized. The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng, President of the Presbyterian University College, admonished us among other things to protect the image of the University, and be circumspect in handling internal matters of the University in the media. I therefore wish to remind and encourage all staff to heed to this piece of advice, seek first the welfare of the University and all other things would follow suit accordingly.

Efforts towards Early Graduation of Students Colleagues, as part of efforts to facilitate early graduation of the next batch of students of the University, faculty/academic staff have been requested to isolate and devote time in marking Final Year and Re-sit scripts (including Dissertations/Project Works) of students and submit same together with score sheets to their respective Heads of Department for script checking and verification by a special team of academic auditors. This arrangement has become necessary as to comply with quality assurance standards demanded of the Institution by our Regulators. In view of this, the marked scripts (including Dissertations/Project Works) together with score sheets should be submitted to Heads of Department on or before Thursday, 20th June, 2019. I wish to use this opportunity to entreat Deans and Heads of Department and all faculty/academic staff to take note and kindly comply with this directive. An Academic Audit team has been put in place to assure quality and it is my hope that Faculty would cooperate with the Teams to ensure a smooth exercise.

Provision of wider coverage of internet access to the University Community Ladies and Gentlemen, plans are far advanced to improve the internet bandwidth and widen the coverage of internet access to all offices within the University community. The Directorate of ICT migrated from shared bandwidth to dedicated bandwidth to provide wider coverage of internet access to the University Community. The Directorate acquired an initial 5MB dedicated bandwidth in 2017 and upgraded it to 50MB which is currently operational. Although there are a couple of bottlenecks, we are determined to ensure that this upgraded bandwidth will bring much improvement in the use of internet to support teaching and learning in the University. Additionally, the Directorate of ICT in conjunction with students of the Department of Computer Science are embarking on networking some identified offices and Departments within the University that do not have Local Area Network. We are hopeful that the entire networking project would be completed this year to ensure that all offices and departments gain internet access through the Local Area Network (LAN) of the University. Introduction of Computerized System For Industrial AttachmentColleagues, the Directorate of ICT in collaboration with students and Lecturers of the Department of Computer Science has developed an Industrial Attachment Systems application called Intern App. The Intern App which automates the business processes of the Industrial

Attachment will enable students access the system anytime and anywhere. Currently the Intern App has been deployed for use. It can be accessed through the University’s website: (https://htu.edu.gh) or through this URL (https://internapp.htu.edu.gh).

Creation of Office of Gender and Special NeedsColleagues, Management is in the process of creating the office of Gender and Special Needs in the University. The main objectives for which the Office is to be established is to offer specialized services to students and staff in order to facilitate easy access, integration, retention and academic progression in the University. The Office of the Dean of Students Affairs has been requested to provide detailed statistics and further information on students with disability and special needs for immediate attention. Indeed, education is a fundamental human right which must be effortlessly accessible to all individuals. Hopefully, the office should become operational by the beginning of the 2019/2020 academic Year.

Skills Initiative For Africa (SIFA) ProjectLadies and Gentlemen, the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) which finances skills development projects in African countries is an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) supported by the German government to strengthen occupational prospects of young people in Africa. The current call for proposals is for the award of a grant amount of EUR 3 million to support large skills development investment projects by domestic training entities in partnership with companies under the following thematic areas:

• Procurement of training equipment;• Construction, rehabilitation or expansion of learning

infrastructure;• Training of trainers• Curriculum design, and • Learner of scholarships.

In view of this, I wish to entreat faculty/academic staff of all Departments to put in the needed efforts to submit proposals for this call as part of efforts in securing external funds to propel the development and growth of the University at large.

I-WORK ProjectThe Improving Work Relaying Knowledge Opportunities (I-WORK) project, which is being supported by the British Council, aims at improving the employment prospects of young people, includes those from disadvantaged backgrounds by piloting and introducing new approaches to employer led skills development. Currently, the project is developing a national apprenticeship policy to be used at all levels of training within the country and beyond. I am happy to inform you that Ho Technical University is the only TU selected to participate in the development of the Policy. This is another positive indication of our relevance, institutional standing, and visibility within the technical education terrain of the country and beyond.

Project with the Council of Ewe Associations of North America, Incorporated (CEANA)The Council of Ewe Associations of North America, Incorporated (CEANA) has requested for technical assistance from faculty and students of the Department of Civil Engineering to construct a footbridge to link the Agordoe and Torve communities in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region. Plans are far advanced to see to the successful execution of the project. It is indeed heartwarming to note that the visibility of the University is attracting both local and foreign partnerships geared towards enhancing the livelihood of our people and nation at large. This project would also offer hands-on practical and technical skills to our Civil Engineering lecturers and students.

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Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in GhanaColleagues, as you may be aware, Ho Technical University is hosting the Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Ghana from 9th-10th September 2019 on the theme: “Positioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Employability and Sustainable Development”. To this end, a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Conference has been constituted to ensure all activities and programmes for the conference are executed successfully. As academics, our life blood is research. I therefore wish to encourage faculty/academic staff to submit papers for publication. We should be able to receive at least two quality papers from each Department. The deadline for submission of papers was Friday 31st May, 2019 but I had discussions with the LOC Chairman to extend the deadline to June 30, 2019. I wish to commend the various sub-committees for their efforts so far.

TVET Innovation week in September, 2019Colleagues, under the auspices of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Transfer; and the Technical and Vocational Education Research Centre (TVERC) and with financial support of GIZ, Germany, Ho Technical University is organizing a TVET Innovation Week scheduled for 2nd – 6th September, 2019, at Ho Technical University. GIZ remains a key partner of the University and we look forward to the success of the TVET Innovation Week. I urge all staff to offer the needed assistance to support the success of the event. Deans of Faculty and Heads of Department must show leadership for us to use this week’s celebration to showcase the HTU as the Headquarters of TVET in Ghana.

Launch of CIMG/GOIL student Leadership Awards SchemeLadies and Gentlemen, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) and GOIL has instituted a Student Leadership Award Scheme in the University aimed at supporting innovation and entrepreneurship development of students of the University. The official launch of the CIMG-GOIL Student Leadership Award Scheme was held in March, 2019 in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium. The first batch of award winners were presented with their awards amounting to Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢20,000.00) donated by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) and GOIL.

Faculty Week CelebrationsThe Faculty of Art and Design celebrated its Faculty Week dubbed “Art and Design Week 2019”. As part of the celebrations, there was an Art and Fashion awareness procession through the principal streets of Ho. Under the auspices of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, the Department of Computer Science organized an IT Week Programme. Some key activities which were undertaken during the IT Week include free systems repairs, and IT Systems Exhibition etc. Also, the Food Science and Technology Department under the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology organized an open day for industry players, schools, farmers, students and other entrepreneurs on how to prepare for collaborations, partnerships and investments. The big event on that day was the pitching session for 8 finalists. The pitch was in three categories, idea stage, growing business and farmer support. All businesses pitched were related to improving agribusiness/food value chain. The participants were young persons who came from different parts of the country. Likewise, under the auspices of the HTU Business School, the Department of Marketing held its 2019 Advertising Fiesta on 3rd May, 2019, in the G.M. Afeti Auditorium. The overall success of

the event lends credence to the academic brilliance of our students and competence of our faculty at HTU.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUESAppointment of Key OfficersColleagues, as you may be aware, the Governing Council per guidelines and provisions in the Ho Technical University Statutes, constituted Search Committees to search and recommend suitable candidates for appointment of Directors of Finance, Internal Audit, Works and Physical Development and Librarian following expiration of tenure of the former office holders. I wish to inform you that the Search Committees for Librarian and Director of Works and Physical Development have completed their work and submitted their report and recommendations to Council for further action. The search Committee for the Directors of Finance and Internal Audit will also submit its report to Council soon.Similarly, the Governing Council constituted another Search Committee to recommend a suitable candidate for appointment of Registrar for Ho Technical University. The Committee has started its work and is expected to complete the assignment by the end of June, 2019.

New Appointments Following the granting of study leave to Mr. Kofi Ashiboe Mensah, the Quality Assurance office became vacant. As a result, we have appointed Dr. Mexoese Nyatuame as the Acting Head until further notice. Similarly Rev. S.T.K. Dzokoto has been appointed as the acting University Chaplain in the absence of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Agbezuge who is currently on study leave.

Placement/Migration of Technical University Staff onto the Traditional University Salary Structure Ladies and Gentlemen, following the receipt of the initial report on Staff Placement after an audit exercise conducted by NCTE, there has been expressions of dissatisfaction among staff of the Technical Universities. At the instance of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of Technical Universities and Polytechnics the Chairpersons of Councils, Vice-Chancellors, and Registrars of Technical Universities, a meeting was held in Ho on Monday, April 1, 2019 to discuss concerns raised by staff and make recommendations for consideration in order to ensure stability on our campuses for a smooth transition and migration process.Some of the major concerns raised by staff include the following:

• Inconsistencies in placements• Limited transitional period and time for upgrading• Placement of Professional Staff• Non-placement of some staff designated as “Cannot be

placed”• Queried promotions• Clarification on regular and irregular Masters degrees• Current rank/status versus entry qualifications• Lapses in the placement of qualified staff• Academic qualification versus professional qualification• Contradictions between NAB and NCTE on verification of

certificatesBased on these concerns, recommendations have been made to the NCTE and the Ministry. Nonetheless, Management has already initiated steps to provide opportunities and institutional support for affected persons to obtain research Masters and PhDs in China, KNUST, and other renowned Universities. We are also hopeful that the actual migration of staff onto the university salary structure would commence soon to minimize the agitations and anxieties of staff.

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Provident Fund/Tier-3 for Staff of the UniversityLadies and Gentlemen, as part of efforts to provide alternatives for some financial aid during retirement of a staff, a committee has been constituted to explore the possibility of instituting a Provident Fund/Tier-3 for staff of the University. We look forward to considering the report of the Committee for implementation.

Loan Scheme for StaffArrangements are far advanced to secure loan scheme facilities from some financial institutions at a more affordable rates for staff of the university. Members will be informed when the arrangements have been concluded

Staff Training and Development As part of efforts to improve staff and institutional effectiveness, Twenty-three (23) staff of the University have been granted study leave and various forms of sponsorship to pursue further studies since October, 2018. Out of this number, ten (10) staff are pursuing PhD programmes, seven (7) staff are pursuing MPhil/MBA/Msc. programmes, and six (6) staff are pursuing BA/BSc/HND programmes.

Promotions Colleagues, a total of sixty-two (62) promotions have been made for various categories of staff from 1st October, 2018 to date. Out of this number, eleven (11) Senior Members (Academic Staff), Seven (7) Senior Members (Non-Academic Staff) and Forty-four (44) Senior and Junior Staff have been promoted to various grades in the University. This should serve as a source of encouragement to enable you all to continue working hard towards attainment of the goals of this University.

Contract Renewal of Senior Members Members of Convocation, It is an established tradition and principle that Senior Members in Universities and higher education institutions are appointed based on specific terms of contract which may be renewed in line with the Statutes of that University. In our case, Schedule E of our Statutes clearly spells out the procedure as emanating from the applicant through his/her HOD through Dean/Faculty Board to the Registrar who is the Secretary to the UAPB. After the review of an applicant’s dossier and when the UAPB satisfies itself that the applicant has scored full marks, the maximum contract term of three (3) years is granted. Shorter contract terms may be granted to applicants normally indicating certain conditions which the applicant could not meet and is expected to satisfy or work on and reapply. I urge Senior Members to appreciate what is required of them in the contract renewal process by re-examining their appointment letters/renewal letters and the statutes. The only way to escape periodic contract renewal is to work hard to be at the Professorial Rank. So when we require of you to publish, publish and publish in the Approved Journals and Publishing Houses, it is in your own interest because the key which unlocks the door to promotions is publications and the gate to the Professorial rank is publications.

Research/Innovations As indicated earlier, HTU, in complying with the National Accreditation Board and the NCTE, approved list of Journals and Publishing Houses. Our moving forward for promotions is subject to getting our papers appear in these Journals or publishing houses in our various disciplines. Let me state without mincing words that there is no longer ‘business as usual’ because we are now measured through university lenses. It is gratifying to note that some of you have started publishing in these Journals and I wish to congratulate those colleagues for the good work and urge all academic Staff to emulate their examples.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTEstablishment of Printing and Photography UnitLadies and Gentlemen, a Printing and Photography Unit has been established in the University to handle or reprographic works of the University including printing of institutional paraphernalia, brochures, fliers, newsletters and other related activities. This would eliminate the high financial cost associated with outsourcing such projects to companies. The unit could become a model reprographic centre within the Region to attract businesses from the general public and consequently become a revenue generation unit for the University if adequately resourced with the required modern equipment and skilled personnel. In view of this, we wish to indicate our full support to activities and efforts of the Unit in this regard.

Creation of New Offices in Adaklu HallAs part of efforts to introduce a new Hall Management system in the University, the following arrangements have been made at Adaklu Hall:

• Creation of office space for Hall Masters;• Creation of office space for Vice-Masters;• Creation of office space for Hall Administrator;• Creation of office space for Hall Accounts Officer;• Creation of space to serve as Common Room for Tutors,

Fellows and Meetings;• Creation of space for Stores; and • Creation of office space for Hall Technical Staff.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPSColleagues, Ho Technical University is working hard towards its vision to become a reputable Technical University nationally and internationally. Our focus on internationalization and partnerships resulted in training and exchange programmes for Faculty, Staff and Students in Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. For instance, six (6) staff of HTU benefited in specific capacity building programmes at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Germany in September 2018. This year, eight (8) of our colleagues made up of five (5) faculty and 3 administrative officers returned to Ghana from the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), Germany having benefited from such similar training and exposure in a typical Technical University environment in Germany. Again, in partnership with the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL), Germany, I travelled with the Dean of Faculty of Engineering to the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL), Germany, from 8th – 19th May, 2019, to deepen peer mentoring and consolidation of institutional collaboration between the two Universities under the NRW Partnerships for Supporting Technical Universities in Ghana project. In the same vein, Dr. Christopher K. Amehoe, Registrar of Ho Technical University, and Dr. Charles Atombo, Dean of International Programmes and Institutional Linkages of the University visited China to engage with some credible Universities on establishment of collaborative partnerships and cooperation. Ladies and Gentlemen, the prospects and benefits of these partnerships and institutional collaborations cannot be overemphasized and ought to be supported to enhance the fortunes and development of Ho Technical University. These exchange programmes are meant not only to expose beneficiaries to other cultures but also provide hands-on opportunities to deepen and sharpen their skills for the attainment of our mandate as a Technical University. It is therefore my hope that this partnership drive would inure to our benefit as staff and propel the growth and development of the University.

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DONATIONSColleagues, the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), Germany has donated ten (10) CISCO access point devices, and one (1) switch to the University to help improve our internet connectivity issues. We have been assured of other donations during the course of the year.Again, an alumnus of the Institution (Ho Technical Institute), Mr. Robert Dzekle Myles has donated several ICT equipment and computer accessories to the Department of Computer Science and the Directorate of ICT. The items include notebooks, CISCO wireless router/modem, printer toners, hard drives, switches, Lenovo ThinkPad laptop dock, and severs among many others. Similarly, the 1999 HND Building Technology alumni led by Mr. Kirk Apawu donated assorted equipment and tools to the Building and Technology Department to facilitate hands –on training of our students in the department. The tools donated include wheel barrows, head pans, shovels and spades. Also, the Indian High Commissioner at the Regional Launch of the Volta Trade, Investment and Cultural Fair, held on Thursday, 11th April, 2019 at the G.M. Afeti Auditorium of our University donated assorted books to the University to support teaching and learning.Ladies and Gentlemen, these acts of kindness deserve a lot of commendation and ought to be emulated as we seek to support the transformational agenda of the University. I am calling on alumni of HTU who are members of Convocation to stand and be counted in this regard.

CONCERNS/CHALLENGES Infrastructural and Facility ShortfallsLadies and Gentlemen, infrastructural and facility shortfalls at HTU need to be addressed to provide adequate classroom space and ultra-modern laboratories for intake of 2020 Senior High School (SHS) graduates under the Free SHS policy of government. The Free SHS policy of government which has boosted enrollment figures in Senior High Schools in Ghana, would ultimately lead to greater demand for teaching and learning space in tertiary institutions in the country. In view of this, we have submitted our needs and petitions to government for the completion of our GETFund projects in good time to provide adequate classroom space to accommodate the expected increase. Also, we have appealed to government for establishment of more laboratories to support teaching, learning, research and innovation in the University.

Water and SanitationWater and sanitation remain one of our key challenges. We have however resolved to put these challenges behind us by developing our own small water systems. I am happy to inform Convocation that we are working with Engineers from the Community Water and Sanitation to assist us build and operate our own water system. The Directorate of Works and Physical Development has been tasked to maintain the sanitation staff on duty throughout the day to keep our washrooms clean at all times.

Security Challenges Issues of security, especially the threat of terrorism in the West African sub region, enjoins us to be on high alert and report any strange and suspicious characters to the head of security or the nearest police station. In this regard, management has made special arrangements with the security agencies in the Region to pay special attention to HTU as a way of dealing with these threats should they occur.

MY VISION FOR HTURegistrar and Members of Convocation, Vice-Chancellors come into office with unique leadership styles as well as challenges and to become a Vice-Chancellor is also not for the ‘weaklings’.

Colleagues, my Vision as the current Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University dovetails into the vision and mission of HTU, and is in tandem with the thematic areas of the 5-year Strategic Plan (2017-2022) of the University, to transform Ho Technical University into a reputable Technical University nationally and internationally. Ladies and Gentlemen, my vision for HTU therefore, is to provide leadership and support in the development of excellent academic environment in which Faculty, Staff and Students work together as a team to provide opportunities for success in Teaching/Learning, Research/Innovation and Community Service. Truly, the underlying principle of my vision is to enhance the reputation of the University and to ensure that graduates of Ho Technical University compare favourably with their counterparts worldwide. I will promote collegiality among faculty and Staff but mindful of the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Disciplinarian.In due course, I will present the key actions of my vision to convocation to be imbibed as share values needed for the forward match of HTU.

REQUIRED ACTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF HTUProtecting the Good Image of HTULadies and Gentlemen, an institution’s most valuable asset is its good name, brand and global standing. Let us continue to project the image of our University in good light in all our endeavours.

CONCLUSION Let me state without any iota of doubt that the future of the University looks bright. However, its successes and achievements could be attained and sustained if we unite, support each other and put our shoulders to the wheel to perform the required actions stipulated in the Strategic Plan in line with the stated thematic areas.Undoubtedly, unity is key to growth and development of any establishment and society. I therefore entreat all staff to put aside their differences and work hard to support the growth and development of Ho Technical University. Before I take my seat, I have one commitment to make to you as your Vice Chancellor, that I will give opportunity to each one of you as allowable by the Act and Statutes to grow your career to the pinnacle. How each one of you treads your career path to the pinnacle however remains your responsibility.Thank you.

PROF. BEN Q. HONYENUGA (Ph.D)VICE-CHANCELLOR

Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 1

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY ALUMNI DONATE TO DEPARTMENT

The Department of Building Technology received a set of building equipment from the 1999 year group

to support teaching and learning. This came handy as the Department embarked on the construction of a 3-bedroom bungalow as part of practical works for the students of the Department. At a brief handing-over ceremony on 30th May, 2019 at the practical construction site, the Head of Department Dr. Divine Norvieto expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the group for their selfless gesture to the Department. He also entreated other year groups to emulate this gesture. The Registrar, Dr. Christopher Amehoe recounted that when the Department came to Management with the idea of building a bungalow, the Vice Chancellor embraced the project and encouraged the Department to make it work. He was grateful to the Alumni for their gesture.A representative of the year group, Raymond Kirk Apawu recounted that, he visited campus and saw the project the students were undertaking and he was glad that they were acquiring the needed hands on skills as expected of students of the Building Technology Department. He recounted that a number of his colleagues were touched

by his accounts of practical works of students, which has culminated into the donation. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Honyenuga, expressed gratitude for the step taken by the past students and urged others to emulate same. He stated that practicality of training is what distinguishes students of the University from their colleagues from other Universities. “The difference we bring is experience and hand on skills that when our students go out, they do not need additional coaching before they start work unlike the other Universities. The equipment will go a long way to help the students in skills acquisition and also help the University to house its members.”- Professor Honyenuga said.He used the occasion to encourage students to consistently aim higher in whatever they do. ‘The world is a simple place so do not make it complex but take it little by little’. - Professor Honyenuga reiterated.

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Ho Technical University Informant Volume 4, Issue 1

VC MEETS UNION LEADERS OVER STAFF AUDIT

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Honyenuga, met the leadership of Staff Unions at the F.O. Kwami

Council Chamber on April 5, 2019, to brief them on issues emanating from the recent staff audit conducted by the Nation Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) in October, 2018. Present at the meeting were the Executive members of Technical University Teachers Association (TUTAG), Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG), Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), Technical University Workers Association of Ghana (TUWAG) and Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU).The Vice Chancellor informed the meeting that Management has identified some errors in the report of the Technical Committee on the Staff Audit, which were pointed out to the Committee and relevant Authorities, such as the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) for corrections.He also informed the house that there was a subsequent meeting of Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities and Council Chairmen of all Technical Universities in Ho to deliberate on the issues of the staff audit and migration of staff to the Public Universities Salary Scheme. Professor Honyenuga said that certificates queried would have to be submitted to National Accreditation Board (NAB) for verification as soon as possible. He assured the union executives that records on promotions that were queried will be submitted for further action.

Also, the Vice Chancellor hinted that some general issues that have been identified and deliberated on by the Vice Chancellors and Council Chairmen for which further clarification is being sought from the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE).These include the following:

1. Limited period for upgrading regarding staff who require further upgrading

2. Placement of Professional Staff vis-à-vis academic qualification and professional qualification

3. Clarification of what the committee referred to as ‘Regular Masters’

Again, he stated that the Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities and their Council Chairmen have appealed to NTCE to migrate Senior Members who have met the criteria, and the Junior Staff and Senior Staff while efforts are made to resolve the migration of those with issues. According to him, they have, also appealed that those with issues of upgrade in terms of their qualification are migrated on their grades while they work towards the prerequisite for their next grade. The Union Executives expressed their satisfaction with the way the VC was handling the issues of the staff audit and migration.

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The Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign in the Ho Municipality has been given another notch higher with ODF2030 Sustainable Sanitation through which 14 communities within the Ho Municipality will be given

Eco-sanitation Toilets on pilot basis in each year of the project.As part of this phase of the project which spans the period 2019-2022, 14 communities will be targeted each year in a campaign to ensure that Ho Municipality becomes open defecation free by 2030. This was made known by Anna Aalto, Project Specialist from the Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland, during a presentation at Ho Technical University as part of a visit to Ho in May, 2019. According to Anna Aalto, the project is expected to have an impact on increased private investments in sanitation in Ho via public awareness-raising and effective promotion of locally suitable and sustainable sanitation technologies that solve the challenges presented by the existing technology options. An earlier phase of the project has seen the construction of 3 institutional Eco-San toilets (Dry Toilets) including Ho Technical University. Also, there have been Sanitation campaigns in 3 peri-urban communities in the Municipality, namely Godokpoe, Dave and Dokpokorfe.The Eco-San Toilet which uses the dry toilet technology is an innovative system that separates urine from solid faecal matter for alternative use especially in Agriculture. The urea and faecal matter obtained from the process becomes manure for agriculture. The project is a collaboration between the Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, Lahti University of Applied Sciences and Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland on one hand and the Ho Municipal Assembly and Ho Technical University, Ghana on the other hand. It is aimed at empowering public authorities and institutions as well as mobilising the urban townships and rural communities for the achievement of total sanitation in Ho Municipal Assembly by 2030. Project Manager at the Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, Sari Huuhtanen stated that the partnership with Universities in Ghana and Funland will go a long way to help transfer the Finland experience into the Ghanaian Challenge situation in terms of dealing with sanitation while deriving the best out of the process agriculture. ‘’We need to scientifically prove that the technology is safe. The people need a real feel of translating research into the use of urea from the Finland Experience to the Ghanaian challenge’’- said Sari Huuhtanen.Ho Municipal Environmental Health and Sanitation Officer, Samuel Glago pledged the continuous support of the Municipal Assembly to the overall success of the project because its success inures more to the benefit of the Municipality in tackling open defecation.

HO MUNICIPALITY TO BENEFIT MORE FROM DRY TOILETS AND SANITATION CAMPAIGNS

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The Department of Mechanical Engineering of Ho Technical University organized the maiden edition of the Lecture for Future Series at the Amatrol Laboratory of the University on 14th of June, 2019. The theme for the

lecture was: Climate Change: A real Challenge to confront head-on.The lecture aimed at bringing to the fore issues of climate change to the University Community and the youth and providing education on the various aspects aimed at behavioral change especially on human activities that go a long way to affect the climate.This is a concept the University adopted from her partner University, Rheine Waal University of Applied Science in Germany where the lecture series was already a regular feature on the activities of the University. Nerissa Anku, a climate change advocate and a Lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University was the lead presenter. Presenting on the topic, Perspectives of Climate Change and Adaptation in Ghana, Nerissa Anku noted that a lot of human activities contribute to climate change, hence the onus lies on all to ensure to help slow down or reverse the pace of the adverse effect of Climate change on the environment. Presenting on the topic ‘the role of the youth in the fight against climate change’, Portia Adu-Mensah of 350 Ghana challenged the youth to get involved in issues of the climate because it is about the future of our environment. 350 is an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.Volta Regional Director of Environmental Protection Agency, Benjamin Oppong Darkwah commended the University for joining in the global campaign for the protection of the climate and called for the its sustainability. He suggested that the University should, in the next editions, narrow the topics to specific human activities that affect the climate. Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rev. Dr. Seth Dzokoto, presented on the topic ‘Clean Technology for sustainable Development: The role of Higher Educational Institutions’. He charged government to partner researchers and Engineers in the various institutions of higher learning to help diffuse clean technologies that will help reverse or slow down the devastating effects of climate change. He cited solar energy as clean technology that all stakeholders should be interested in for sustainable development of the country’s energy sector. Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Dr Richard Turkson, on behalf Vice Chancellor expressed the University’s commitment to ensure that the Lecture Series become a major feature of the activities of the University.

HTU HOLDS MAIDEN EDITION OF LECTURE FOR FUTURE LECTURE SERIES

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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

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