Management of the Sunyani Technical University (STU), has launched a new Strategic Plan and Master Plan, developed to streamline the future development of the institution.

The total cost of the plans is estimated at ₵73 million, phased into short, medium, and long term. 

The Strategic Plan spells out the development of the University in the next five years (2020-2025) whilst the Master Plan focuses on the development of the institution for the next 40 years.

At the launch of the plans, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Sunyani Technical University, Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah said this is the third Strategic Plan developed for the institution since its inception. 

"The first one was developed and implemented for the Polytechnic period (2005 to 2015). The second one (2015 to 2020) was developed to prepare the institution for conversion from Polytechnic to Technical University, and the third, after the promulgation of the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922), designed to direct the development of the institution as a fully-fledged University", he revealed.

He, however, noted there has never been any Master Plan developed for the Institution throughout its history. 

This, the VC said created a lack of coordination of developmental agenda in the past, especially for physical infrastructure, leaving physical development in the institution in disarray. 

The University Council, thus formed a committee to develop the blueprint to ensure coordinated development of the Institution.

The new Strategic Plan has 8 Priority Goals with 22 Objectives and many Strategies for the achievement of the Vision of the University. 

The goals and strategies are expected to also give quality to teaching, research, innovation and technology transfer, practical training for staff and students, through greater collaboration with industry, to create a platform for excellence in Engineering, Technology, and TVET.

Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah said the University is on course to carry out its mandate with a focus on its Niche Area, Electrical and Electronics Engineering. 

He explained that the strategic plan and the master plan will propel the University to be a world-class Technical University, recognized for producing professionals in the field of Engineering, Science-based disciplines, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Applied Arts, and related disciplines equipped to function as resourceful professionals and entrepreneurs.

"We believe, this could be a key strategy to help resolve some of the major challenges facing our country today, including one of the latest dubbed ‘#FixtheCountry’, because, STU’s numerous industry-driven academic and professional programs intertwined with entrepreneurial development will help ease the unemployment spate in Ghana", the VC said.

He further reiterated that the University's strategic and master plans would position the institution as a major Research Centre for the production of electric vehicles by converting internal combustion to electric vehicles by 2030. 

The VC, Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah said the Staff and Students are optimistic that by the end of the plan periods, the University will achieve a major improvement in the overall governance system, improve the financial resource base, and enhanced physical infrastructure development. 

He also said they expect an Improvement in ICT infrastructure, to support teaching, learning, research, innovation and invention, sustained improvement in the flagship programs to generate knowledge, technical and professional skills for national and global development, and sustenance of all international collaborations that impact on the achievement of the STU Vision and Mission to contribute to the SDGs. 

The VC, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders, including Industry Partners and the Government to support the realization of the goals and objectives in the two documents.

He noted a soon-to-be-launched STU Endowment Fund will solicit funds from well-meaning stakeholders and benefactors in the execution of the new Strategic and Master Plans to help STU play its role in National reconstruction and global sustainable development.

To realise the aspirations of the plans, the Council Chairman of STU, Ing. Dr Kwame Agyeman Boakye, said, requires academic and administrative infrastructure and services, including capacity development, and resource mobilization, and efficient management of the resources.

He stressed the Plan focuses on building the productive capacities of the University to generate substantial financial resources to pursue and sustain its core functions as established by the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922). 

The sources of funding for the ₵73 million plans includes Internally Generated Funds, GETFund, Collaboration Partners, Grants, and donations.

Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, who launched the two documents on behalf of the Education Minister stated that the government of Akufo-Addo has set for itself the task of re-engineering technical and vocational education in Ghana to become abreast with modern trends.

She said there is a multi-pronged approach to the push for greater attention to TVET as it has been the resolve of the government to make technical and vocational education a major component of Ghana’s educational curriculum.