Kumasi Polytechnic and the Jiangsu University of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to run joint degree programmes for undergraduate students in the Sciences and Business.
Under the agreement, the two institutions are to collaborate in running what they termed as, “Two PLUS Two” programmes in Kumasi and Jiangsu, at the undergraduate levels, leading to the award of Bachelors’ degrees.
Jiangsu University would award the degree certificates.
The agreement will also enable students of Kumasi Polytechnic, who would be admitted to pursue four-year Bachelors’ degree programmes in Civil, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Computer Science and Technology as well as Business Administration, to do two years each in Ghana and China respectively.
The Rector of K-Poly, Professor Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah signed for the Kumasi Polytechnic while Professor Ming Fan, Chairman of the University Affairs Committee, who led a six- member delegation from China, signed for the Jiangsu University.
At a short but impressive signing ceremony, Professor Nsowah-Nuamah expressed his delight that the two institutions would collaborate.
“During my visit to Jiangsu University in June, I was impressed with the strong faculties, modern research facilities and imposing modern academic infrastructure you have over there. It is my conviction that by collaborating with you, we at Kumasi Polytechnic will gain a lot from your experience,” Professor Nsowah-Nuamah told the Jiangsu University delegation.
He said, notwithstanding the gulf between the two institutions in terms of academic infrastructure and facilities, it is imperative that Jiangsu see Kumasi Polytechnic as an equal partner in order to reach the goals of the collaboration.
“Our facilities are modest but this is just the beginning. Within the next two to three years, a new and befitting campus for the Polytechnic would be developed at Kuntenase where we have acquired a-300 acre land,” the Rector said.
Professor Nsowah-Nuamah noted that the present K-Poly campus, which is extremely congested, would be turned into the City Campus for running Part Time and Distance Learning programmes while another site at Adako Jachie would host the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (CEED) and Furniture Centre.
The Rector, on behalf of the Kumasi Polytechnic, pledged to abide by the terms of the MOU and stressed the need for mutual respect, while at the same time upholding the laws of Ghana and China at all times.
Professor Ming Fan, on his part, praised the management of Kumasi Polytechnic for their foresight and quality leadership.
He said he was confident that the collaboration would yield dividends for the two institutions but called for further discussions to fine tune the details of the agreement.
Professor Fan said, the Jiangsu University would always respect the Kumasi Polytechnic in all scheme things.
“I believe we will make great achievements from collaborating’” he said.
According to him, some Lecturers from Kumasi Polytechnic would be invited to visit the Jiangsu University to acquaint themselves with academic facilities and infrastructure in order to hone their skills.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the Jiangsu University delegation had toured several faculties, laboratories and departments at K-Poly to acquaint themselves with the Polytechnic’s facilities.