Accra Sept. 25, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports on Sunday announced that government had decided to institute a programme that will provide research grants and scholarships for teaching staff in the private tertiary institutions in priority subject areas.

He said the decision to provide grants and scholarships would ensure that the right calibre of teachers are deployed to impart knowledge in the public and private sectors for the nation to have richer human resource.

Mr Osafo-Maafo, speaking at the 11th graduation ceremony of the Valley View University, said government had a responsibility to support private universities in the country to facilitate the development of globally competitive institutions

The tertiary sector, he said, must contribute actively to national development by providing career-focused education and skills training at the highest level.

"Universities must explore opportunities to collaborate with business and other academic institutions to provide programmes in essential skill areas relevant to the growing sectors of the Ghanaian economy," the Minister said.

He mentioned the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF) programme as another programme that would give financial resources to tertiary institutions to carry out new initiatives. The TALIF programme, currently being implemented with assistance from the World Bank allows individuals, groups, departments or faculties to submit proposal for funding with the objective of improving the efficiency with which tertiary institutions manage academic programmes. Mr Osafo-Maafo said government would continue to support the development of private universities by creating the appropriate environment through formulation of sound policies, a conducive regulatory and legislative environment and promotion of certain specific activities.

He urged the graduands to avoid vices such as absenteeism, lateness, mediocre performance and factionalism that sometimes characterize various work places.

"Our society needs upright bright young men and women, who will be the next generation of leaders to lead this country to reach its full potential within the shortest possible time. Ghana needs you, but remember you need Ghana too," he added.

Dr. Seth Laryea, President of Valley View University announced that the school would pursue degree programmes in nursing and bio-medical equipment technology by August 2006, adding, "we have started constructing the needed lecture halls and laboratories."

He said the school is also constructing a clinic, which will be ready in December this year to serve the university and surrounding villages.

Dr. Laryea appealed to the government to resource local universities to enable them to expand and enrich graduate programmes, especially at the doctorate level, saying, that would facilitate manpower development. He told the graduates: "Do not be worried about what cannot be done, whatever happens, move forward. We have trained you for Ghana, serve Ghana."

The graduates presented 10.3 million cedis to the University to support its development programmes.