The Kumasi Polytechnic would start the Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) degree programme by the end of 2004, Dr Lord E. Asamoah, Principal of the institution, said on Saturday.

Speaking at the 10th matriculation ceremony of the Polytechnic in Kumasi, he said the introduction of the programme would mitigate the frustrations of polytechnic graduates who were eager and capable of advancing their education beyond the Higher National Diploma level (HND).

Dr Asamoah, however, advised the students to appreciate the difference between a polytechnic and a university education in order not to waste three years at the polytechnic only to seek fresh admission to start a degree programme.

He said, "For the moment, it is necessary for us to know that polytechnics are different from universities though both are tertiary institutions by law, and the close relationships they enjoy is by virtue of the complementary roles they play in national development."

Dr Asamoah said only 2,468 out of a total of 4,021 applicants gained admission into the polytechnic this academic year.

He said out of this figure, 1,098 were HND students while the remaining 1,370 were non-HND students.

The Principal attributed this to the lack of adequate facilities and limited vacancies.

He said this would affect the human capacity development of the country and called on government to provide the institution with adequate facilities to enhance academic work.