PhDs Teaching At Technical Universities Unnecessary

Dr Emmanuel Kwaku Asiedu, the Chief Executive Officer of GRATIS Foundation, has called for immediate amendments in the qualifications required for teaching at technical universities.

'One does not necessarily need to hold a PhD or a Master's degree to be able to teach in a technical university', the renowned inventor said.

Speaking at the maiden colloquium of the Sunyani Technical University (STU), Dr Asiedu said the technical universities and their graduates have failed the nation in her development efforts and such universities needed professionals with practical experiences to impart to students.

'Considering the uniqueness of the technical universities, it requires teachers with years of practical experience to make a positive impact on students. We are fed up with the PhD qualifications', he said.

Under the theme: 'Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovations for Sustainable National Development', the academic discussion meeting was attended by teaching and non-teaching staff, deans, heads of departments and students of the University.

Some senior high school students also attended the meeting.

'We have had the degrees and qualifications but what have we invented. It pains me dearly that only 10 to 15 per cent of the oil we have in Ghana belongs to us because we lack the technological knowhow ', he said.

Dr Asiedu who invented a locally-grinding disc for a milling machine for the Tema Cocoa Processing Company, tasked technical university graduates to 'think outside the box' and help in finding solutions to national development challenges.

Engineering, he added, should be the 'combination of mathematics, science and technology to produce creative solutions to real world problems.'

He lauded government's One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) programme saying it is the surest tool to push rapid socio-economic growth and development.

Dr Kwame Agyemang Boakye, the STU Council's Chair re-echoed the critical role of science, technology and engineering and innovations in the development of any nation and called on the government to commit more resources to the sector.

'The difference between the developed and developing nations is attributable to the advancement in technology, science, engineering and innovation. If Africa and Ghana are to develop, it is imperative to invest in science, technology and engineering', he said.