Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in the Western Region has hinted that the University in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways Development had started the School of Railways and Infrastructure Development at Essikado in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
He said the students have settled and ready to let Sekondi-Takoradi and Essikado in particular, have a feel of what UMaT has to offer.
Prof Amankwa made the disclosure during the 16th Matriculation ceremony which was held in two batches following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He pointed out that the Tarkwa Campus of the University enrolled 1,062 new students into various degree programmes out of which 71 percent are males and 29 percent are females.
For the postgraduate level, 167 students were admitted bringing the total number to 426, representing 13 percent of the total student population, which currently stands at 3,279.
The University admitted only sixteen (16) foreign students this year and hopes to increase the number in the coming years.
Turning his attention to the students, he reiterated that the University would continue with the gender mainstreaming policy until it achieves 50 percent female participation and stressed that globally, academic activities have been critically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Amankwah said, “according to the United Nations, the pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents”.
The Vice Chancellor mentioned that the combination of virtual and face-to-face interactions as practiced on campus was aimed at reducing close contact and spread of the disease.
He therefore advised the students to cooperate with the University to keep the pandemic out of the campus by wearing their masks, washing their hands regularly, practice social distancing and boost their immune system by eating good food and taking vitamins.
Story: Seth Ameyaw Danquah
