The Ghana Chamber of Mines, through its governing board, has launched a SMART Board Technology to aid virtual teaching and learning at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The equipment, worth GH¢173,872 catered for the procurement and installation of hardware and software components of the Smart Board 7086R series interactive flat panel; SMART Team Works software and accessories.
Dr. Stephen Kofi Ndede, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ Tertiary Education Fund, at the launch of the SMART Board explained that “15 lecturers and IT officers from the university have since been trained on the technology”.
According to him, the SMART Board was procured upon a request from UMaT to aid virtual teaching and learning, which in turn fits into the university’s agenda of enhancing internationalisation and visibility.
“COVID-19 has taught us a great deal of lessons, and one of such is how physical presence or location should not be a hindrance to work or study. As a mining industry, we re-adjusted our work programme to enable non-technical staff to work from home during the height of the pandemic; however, productivity was not negatively affected,” he added.
He urged them to ensure planned maintenance of the technology to ensure its longer lifespan.
Prof. Grace Ofori Sarpong, Dean of UMaT School of Post Graduate Studies, explained that the fund is a contribution from Chamber of Mines member-companies. “For the first five years, the donation is for UMaT; and beyond that they will think of what to do next. The fund covers areas such as postgraduate research grants, faculty research funds, educational resources, internships for faculty members among others,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the Chamber of Mines for the good work they are doing. In a related development, faculty members and postgraduate students have been awarded research grants to equip them undertake various inquiries into topics which are relevant to the mining industry.
“As a chamber, we are confident that these approved research topics which will be carried out in the various mining companies within the chamber membership will bring improvements, reduce cost and enhance productivity for member-companies,” Dr. Stephen Kofi Ndede, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ Tertiary Education Fund has said.
He mentioned that three faculty members will be awarded a total of GH¢173,246 while seven postgraduate students who were short-listed receive a total of GH¢170,360
“Additionally, industry supervisors will be assigned to the postgraduate researchers to ensure mutual benefits between industry and academia. Being the first recipients of the research support area under the Tertiary Education Fund, the entire university and the Chamber have expectations of you. I implore you to put these funds into judicious use and ensure transparency and accountability.”
