Turning Polytechnics into Universities requires rebranding; not mere change of name - Prof Dzisi

The Rector of Koforidua Polytechnic, Professor Smile Dzisi says the transition of Polytechnics into Technical Universities status in Ghana requires proper rebranding and not a mere change of name.

She said, as government prepares to change the status of polytechnics in Ghana, stakeholders must seek alternative ways of funding in order to make them function effectively as universities in the wake of irregular disbursement of government subvention.

Professor Smile Dzisi was speaking at her investiture ceremony to usher her into office as the fourth Rector of Koforidua Polytechnic, and the first female Rector in Ghana.

She indicated that the growing rate of unemployment in Ghana has further placed a demand on Polytechnics to awaken the entrepreneurial genius in the students they train.

Professor Dzisi envisaged that, Koforidua Polytechnic would not only become a university but a preferred destination for learning, the human resource toast of industry, a centre of excellence in teaching and applied research and provider of solutions to community problems in Ghana and beyond.

She said, her tenure of office shall be characterized by transparent governance and management, staff development and welfare, ICT-driven quality teaching, learning and Research, attractive programs, innovation and entrepreneurial culture, infrastructural development and aggressive mobilization and efficient management of resources.

She called on all and sundry to support her to make the Koforidua Polytechnic a better a center of excellence.

Joanna Adamson, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana indicated that one cannot overestimate the value of education, especially technical education in development.

She said graduates are not just to use technology but to create and develop new technologies to help countries address challenges such as poverty and poor health.

The Eastern Regional Minister Antwi Boasiako Sekyere was confident that Professor Smile Dzisi will be counted among the great female academia in Ghana.