The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, has urged the management of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to continuously deepen the industry-academia relationship to influence both the theoretical and practical training of students.
This, he noted, will make them readily acceptable in any industry across the continent. He Added that UMaT has remained true to its mandate of training professionals in mining, petroleum, technology and related engineering disciplines, which is worthy of commendation.
“I hope that you will continue to grow and in future, become the Massachusetts Institute (MIT) version of Africa as the chancellor has always envisioned. One of the steps to make this a reality is to continue to deepen the industry-academia relationship and I want to assure you that I will use my good office to support this agenda,” he said.
He observed that graduates from UMaT have always exhibited professionalism and excellence in industry, carving a niche in the international arena and could take the commanding height of mining and allied industries.
Sir Sam Jonah made these remarks at the 15th graduation ceremony of UMaT at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The occasion was also seized by UMaT as an opportunity to confer an honourary doctorate award on Sir Sam Jonah for his leadership and contribution to the mining industry.
Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, said the university continues to support responsible mining; and for the year under consideration, carried out some community sensitisation activities.
“We observed the Sustainable Small-scale Mining Awareness Day this year by engaging some community mining operators to create awareness on the need to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly methods in artisanal and small-scale mining.”
UMaT, he said, has received massive support from many institutions such as the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), which has allocated US$2million to support the university in establishing the ‘Jewellery Centre’ and also confirmed its support for the establishment of the Ghana Mining Museum at the university.
“We are grateful to the government for the support through the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) to complete the legacy projects, and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for providing financial support through its Tertiary Education Fund (GCM-TEF), among others,” he said.
In this year’s graduation programme, 80 graduates received postgraduate degrees. Out of these, 13 were awarded Doctor of Philosophy degrees and 582 were also awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in various engineering programmes. A total of 105 students, representing 18 percent of the graduating class, obtained First Class Honours. Special awards were presented to deserving students.
The VC urged the professionals to demonstrate high moral standards and integrity as ambassadors of the institution. “As you transition to the next stages of your lives, please do well to project the values of knowledge, truth and excellence. Please identify some of the many problems in our society and solve at least one significant problem, for which reason society will remember you,” he urged.
