The Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineering Department of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has received a face-lift to the Precision Quality (PQ) model centre to better equip students with fourth industrial revolution (4IR) skills.
The transformation project, which is worth GH₵325,000, was executed by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), as the pioneer of the PQ curriculum in the country. This commenced immediately after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two institutes in June this year.
The workshop was equipped with state-of-the-art tools to improve the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana.
The DTI, as part of its obligations under the MoU, was to upgrade the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineering Department Workshop to the PQ standard, and train academic scale advisors (ASA) and instructors.
The ASA and instructors will, in turn, train students using the PQ curriculum to ensure that students graduate with industry-relevant skills, and adhere to global industry standards.
DTI’s support is in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Africa Works strategy. It is to transform youth TVET livelihoods for sustainable jobs, and will enable three million young people, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.
The DTI also signed a similar MoU with the Ho Technical University and Takoradi Technical University on 29th April 2021, and on 3rd November, 2021 respectively, to serve as model centres to implement the PQ curriculum.
In all, 5000 students and 100 lecturers across the three universities will benefit from this initiative.
The PQ curriculum was developed by industry professionals and accredited by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) to ensure that it addresses the industry’s skills gap.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the Founder of DTI, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, mentioned that it is important to close the gap which exists between academia and industry.
“The commissioning of the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineering Department Workshop will help the university train and position students to gain practical industry skills and knowledge, and create value for themselves and the nation.
“The objective of DTI in adopting the workshop of the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineering Department is strategic. It is to position KsTU as a model centre, bringing it closer to the bustling Suame Magazine, the heartbeat of the engineering and automotive industry in the northern sector of the country. This will serve as a bridge between master craft persons and academia, and attract the private sector to enhance the teaching and learning of TVET students,” she added.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Kumasi Technical University, Ing. Prof. Osei Wusu Achaw, was thankful to DTI for the collaboration and the opportunity for KsTU to champion the implementation of the PQ curriculum.
The VC iterated that the university is positioned to become a world-class technical university, and the implementation of the PQ curriculum will serve as the bedrock to attain that vision.
Ing Prof. Owusu Achaw called on stakeholders in the industry to collaborate with technical universities in Ghana to train and empower students to reinvent the future with a strong focus through hands-on constructions and internship opportunities.
