Date: 21-22 March, 2023

Venue: Virtual

Time: 10:00 GMT each day

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86705091982?pwd=alhsTklYWXlDWFFVZ2p4b2ZBRmNGZz09

Meeting ID: 867 0509 1982
Passcode: 447010

21st March, 2023	22nd March, 2023
Topic: Rethinking infrastructure procurement systems and contract strategies for better project outcomes and value for money   Presenter: Prof. Sammuel Laryea Head, School of Construction Economics and Management University of Witwatersrand South Africa	Topic: Cementitious Systems Containing Metakaolin Presenter: Emeritus Prof. Jamal Khatib University of Wolverhampton United Kingdom BAU-Lebanon

Host: Prof. Humphrey Danso

Dean, Faculty of Technical Education

Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development

Kumasi-Ghana

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) has signed an agreement with the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana. The agreement aims at supporting AAMUSTED to design and develop Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (ODFL) digital course materials (courseware) for TVET sandwich programmes in line with the mandate of the University.

COL is an intergovernmental organisation established by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1988 to encourage the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL’s mission is to help governments to expand the scale, efficiency and quality of learning by using appropriate technologies, particularly those that support Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

The full project is expected to span over three years following several stages. The initial agreement seeks to design and develop ODFL curriculum and strategies for implementing Diploma in Construction Technology programme for delivery in sandwich/distance mode. The initial stage of the project will develop 23 courseware. The project will seek to design and develop ODFL materials and assessment tools from the newly developed occupational standard for the Diploma in Construction Technology programme at level 5 of the national TVET qualification framework (NTVETQF). The targeted groups who will benefit from the ODFL curriculum include National Certificate II at level 4 of NTVETQF in construction technology learners, construction technology intermediate learners, senior high technical school (SHTS) learners , learners of any related studies and matured applicants. 

This project will be coordinated by Prof. Humphrey Danso (Dean, Faculty of Technical Education, AAMUSTED) with the support of Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo (Vice-Chancellor, AAMUSTED). COL has also assigned Mr. Robert Okinda (TVET Adviser) as the staff member with whom AAMUSTED shall liaise on all matters related to this project. To ensure smooth implementation of this project, AAMUSTED will set up courseware design and development team, the ICT support team, the quality assurance team and the monitoring and evaluation team. COL will also provide consulting and financial support to ensure the realisation of this project.

The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) is soon to begin specialised programmes in road safety and transportation in a move that is to help fight the rampant road crashes and their attendant fatalities and injuries ultimately in the country. 

As part of that effort, the University has entered into a service level agreement with DriveRide Network, a private entity with a reputation for providing skills training in Business, Applied Science and Arts, and Engineering Education in Ghana, to begin the development of a Driving Science and Skills Management (DSSM) Programme.

The programme would be offered as a short course, intermediate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma levels, and shall be opened to all drivers but with initial priority on institutional and commercial drivers and private transport operators.

The conviction of the University is that drivers could acquire the necessary skills like complex cognitive, motor, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills and driving ethics crucial to bring sanity to the country’s roads via a structured programme like what AAMUSTED is soon to introduce.

Road traffic accidents remain major public health and development challenges in Ghana, with a colossal 734 dying and 4,025 sustaining varying degrees of injuries as a result, during the first quarter of 2022, according to a Ghana News Agency (GNA) report. For the period, the country recorded 3,932 crashes involving 6,587 vehicles and 712 pedestrian knockdowns.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, observed at the brief Agreement Signing Ceremony on June 16, 2022, that the worsening incidents of accidents on the country’s roads called for a united Ghana to support the government in efforts to curtail the canker. 

He assured the public that AAMUSTED has the capacity and capability to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against road accidents in this country and that the University shall not leave any stone unturned in its efforts to achieve that.

Prof. Sarfo encouraged drivers to take advantage of the programme once rolled out to improve their knowledge and skills regarding driving and the use of the road, stressing that the country cannot continue to underestimate the importance of driving and yet cry for safety on roads.

Therefore, he challenged DriveRide Network to be fully committed to the collaboration with AAMUSTED so they could help enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of drivers to save lives and reduce the high cost that results from accidents.

Earlier, the Executive Director of DriveRide Network, Mr. Patrick Andoh, expressed happiness that his outfit could enter into such a collaboration with AAMUSTED to work toward helping to address one of Ghana’s major problems. He said it would do citizens a lot of good if they would move beyond complaining about problems in the country and seek solutions.

In his view, a collaboration with AAMUSTED is one such move that could greatly help the country, adding that establishing a Centre for Road Safety and Transportation in AAMUSTED could result from the collaboration eventually. He assured the University that DriveRide Network would do its utmost to guarantee a flourishing partnership with AAMUSTED.

The Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education (FTE), Prof. Humphrey Danso, giving the background to the service level agreement signing, indicated that both institutions had been working together for about a year, fashioning out important details about the collaboration.

He said the institutions would work together to develop the curriculum for the DSSM Programme, seek approval from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), and look for funding to implement the plans, among other things. The DSSM Programme would be by the Competency-Based Training Mode.

The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has rolled-out a short training programme for members of the Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals Association of Ghana (CEWPAG). The training is to deepen the knowledge and skills of participants in the wiring profession to offer improved services to clients.

The eight-week programme, designed on Competency-Based Training (CBT) principles, would help the trainees to acquire competencies regarding Health and Safety, Electrical Installation Drawing, Energy Efficiency Management, Electrical Estimation, and Electrical Business Development specifically.

About 120 members of CEWPAG in the Ashanti Region have been admitted to kick-start the programme described by organisers as a Foundation Course leading to more specialised training.

The Programme was officially opened on October 29, 2021, with the Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, describing it partly as a fulfillment of the University’s mandate to provide higher education in technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial training to develop skilled human resources for job creation and economic development in Ghana.

He also added that rolling out the programme had satisfied a component of the Memorandum of Understanding that AAMUSTED recently signed with CEWPAG. He assured the trainees that the University had highly qualified Lecturers and Technicians to offer them the best training and adequate material resources to guarantee them the best learning and hands-on experience. Therefore, he encouraged them to commit themselves to hard work so that the time and other resources they invested in the programme would not go to waste.

“Education and skill training at every level is never easy. I dare say yours might even be more difficult; so, take pride in what you are learning. The work you do is very crucial to our survival as a nation. Never look down on yourselves,” he encouraged them.

 In his view, quality TVET education was more expensive than general education. Nevertheless, he said AAMUSTED acknowledged the importance of the programme to the country’s development and therefore subsidised it to enable them to come on-board. He suggested that AAMUSTED and CEWPAG can team up to seek sponsorship for future trainees to enable many wiring professionals to take advantage of the programme to improve themselves and contribute to the economic development of the country.

Again, he said, whereas the University would generously avail all of its resources to help them learn, it behooved them to ensure proper maintenance of the University property.

The Ashanti Regional President of CEWPAG, Engineer Yaw Amponsah Ababio, was grateful to the University for the opportunity provided to the CEWPAG members. He said education and skill training was a sure guarantee for the CEWPAG members to become marketable in the industry.

The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education (FTE), Dr. Humphrey Danso, observed that the trainee programme would open better opportunities for the trainees in the wiring industry. He said the FTE was happy to be leading such a laudable programme, indicating that the Faculty would be introducing other programmes and activities to make the University relevant to persons in the TVET sector.

Also present at the ceremony were the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Kagya-Agyemang; the Acting Registrar, Mr. Michael Kofi Adu; Dean of Graduate Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Education (FASME), Prof Stephen Jobson Mitchual; the University Librarian, Mr. Seth Katsekpor, the Head of University Relations, Mr. Michael Kofi Twum-Ampomah; Coordinator, Quality Assurance, Dr. Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi; and the Heads of Department for Electrical and Electronic Technology Education (DEETE), and Automotive and Mechanical Technology Education (DAMTE) Dr. Albert Awopone and Dr. Sherry K. Amedorme respectively.

Students from the Dabokpa Technical Institute (DTI) Tamale in the Northern Region have visited the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) to seek practical exposure to some of the theoretical concepts they had learned.

They were second-year students specialising in Automotive Engineering and Small Engines Repair. Accordingly, Lecturers and Technicians of the University took advantage of their October 19, 2021, educational trip to AAMUSTED to give them hands-on training and extensive exposure to the practical workings of various machines and models relevant to their specialisations.

For instance, Technicians at the University’s Automotive Engineering Workshop, enlightened the students on the Steering and Suspension Models, the Spark Ignition Engine Model, Compression Ignition Engine Model, Fuel Supply System, Charging System, the Breaking System, and the Transmission System. They also had hands-on experience with the 3D Wheel Alignment System, Computerised Wheel Balancer, Pneumatic Tyre Changer, and a Light Vehicle for Exhaust Gas Analysis.

Technicians at the Mechanical Engineering Workshop introduced the students to TIG Welding, MIG Welding, and Resistant Welding, as well as Cutting processes in a Welding Shop, Hydraulic Shears, Guillotine Machine, Manual Milling Machine, Shaping Machine, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Lathe Machine, and the CNC Milling Machine.

To crown the day’s activities, the Industrial Liaison Unit of AAMUSTED conducted the students around other facilities and installations in the University.

The Head of the Automotive Department of DTI, Mr. Martin Adongo Awane, who led the DTI team to AAMUSTED, indicated his unrestrained gratitude to AAMUSTED for the warm reception and the exposure of the University’s facilities to the students.

“We teach our students theories and abstracts, which make understanding very difficult for them. The exposure we have had here today is a giant stride in our efforts to prepare these students for examinations and their future endeavours. We hope that eventually, we shall acquire some of these technologies to facilitate teaching and learning,” he said.

Mr. Awane said the DTI Management was working to create well-equipped work stations to boost practical learning and in that regard, appealed for support from public-spirited individuals and organisations.

The students were happy about the visit to AAMUSTED. They indicated optimism about their chances in the impending West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) after receiving practical training on the theories they had learned.

One of them, Miss Salamatu Yabdoo, said that the knowledge gained from the trip had enhanced her understanding of things taught in class. Even though she acknowledged the male dominance in the engineering field, she was upbeat to succeed in the area to encourage other females.

The AAMUSTED Management held a brief ceremony to welcome the DTI team before allowing relevant experts to lead the guests to the University workshops and laboratories.

At that brief session, the Head of University Relations, Mr. Michael Kofi Twum-Ampomah, gave the students the background information regarding the establishment of AAMUSTED. He assured them that the University was the best for them to select for their tertiary education.

For his part, the Head of Academic Affairs of the University, Dr. Charles Baba Campion, said AAMUSTED offered about 98 programs currently. Moreover, he said, the Management was soon to introduce more of them as part of plans to expand the University and enhance its image.

Also accompanying the students to AAMUSTED were Madam Emelia Chibelitu and Mr. Nassam Zulkalenu, both teachers of DTI.

The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Ghana (CILT) have begun a collaborative relationship to promote their mutual interests. 

On Friday, April 16, 2021, AAMUSTED and CILT-Ghana, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kick-start the five-year relationship, highly expected to quicken the realisation of the mandates, policies, and priorities of both institutions.

Whereas the Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, and the Acting Registrar, Mr. Michael Kofi Adu, signed the MoU on behalf of AAMUSTED, the President of CILT-Ghana, Dr. Ebo Hammond, and his Vice, (responsible for Education and Professional Development), Mr. Neil Vorleto, signed for CILT-Ghana.

The Memorandum of Understanding contained nine (9) key agreements under which the parties shall do collaborative research in any mutual field of interest, develop Curricular, exchange materials and documents, and collaborate in teaching and consultancy services.

 They shall also develop new market-driven and technology-centered academic programmes, roll out short professional courses, and pursue other mutually agreed activities.

The Faculty of Technical Education (FTE) is the lead faculty on behalf of AAMUSTED.

On behalf of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Sarfo expressed gratitude to CILT-Ghana for the interest and enthusiasm shown to collaborate with AAMUSTED.

He said collaborating with CILT-Ghana is a further fulfillment of the University’s mandate to develop strong linkages between the University and industry or the community to ensure the holistic training of teachers.

In that regard, he said the staff of AAMUSTED would work assiduously to achieve a smooth and peaceful collaboration, stressing that the University was pleased with the terms.

For his part, Dr. Hammond was happy that his outfit could land a collaboration with AAMUSTED. He said CILT-Ghana was already working with about eleven (11) universities in Ghana and others in some African Countries including, Togo and Cameroon.

He emphasised the opportunities that could accrue to both institutions because of the agreement and hoped that both parties would stay faithful to the terms to reap the expected benefits.

Dr. Hammond indicated, for instance, that through the collaboration, CILT-Ghana could offer three accreditations – accredit the institution to enroll students to pursue CILT-Ghana professional programmes, accredit these programmes for AAMUSTED, and partner with AAMUSTED in the area of research and training.

Other bigwigs at the signing ceremony from the side of AAMUSTED were the Dean of FTE, Prof. Joseph Mbawuni; the Head of Department of Wood and Construction Education, Dr. Nangiba Allan Khaki Kheni; Head of Department of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering Education, Dr. Enock Andrews Duodu; Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Education, Dr. Albert Awopone, the Acting Director of Finance, Mr. Geoffrey Mensah, Coordinator of Quality Assurance Unit, Dr. Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi; the Head of Transport Section, Engr. Alvin K. Andor; and the Deputy Registrar responsible for University Relations, Mr. Michael Kofi Twum-Ampomah.

From the side of CILT-Ghana were also Mr. Andrews Osei Mensah, Vice-President responsible for Railways; Mr. Samuel Asare Boateng, Chairman of the Kumasi Section; and Mr. Frank Osei, Administrator of CILT-Ghana.