Takoradi Sept. 19, GNA - A total of 2,741 students have been admitted at the Takoradi Polytechnic to pursue programmes at the School of Applied Arts, Applied Sciences, Business Studies and Engineering. The students are made up of 1,820 males and 921 females. Dr Samuel Obeng Apori, the Rector of the Takoradi Polytechnic, announced this at the 18th Matriculation ceremony of the school, at Takoradi.

He encouraged students to give all their attention to their studies since the full complement of lecturers, supporting staff as well as the requisite teaching and learning materials and equipment were available to enhance their studies.

"You will acquire new skills, knowledge and attitudes to make you functional in your chosen field and you must use them to improve on your life," he added.

He advised the students to learn to live peacefully with all persons and appreciate their differences instead of using them as basis of discrimination and confusion to divide their front. "Learn to use persuasion to help others understand your point of view and not violence since violence has never yielded any positive benefit," he added.

Dr. Apori urged them to cooperate with school authorities towards sustaining a civil environment for effective teaching and learning. Mr. Paul E. Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, in a speech read for him, emphasized the need for the students to demonstrate a high sense of disciplinary behaviour and to live above reproach. "Avoid excessive drinking, drugs, unbridled sexual behaviour and at all time uphold the code of ethics and serve as role models to uplift the image of the Polytechnic," he advised.

He added that they should use the facilities available at the school responsibly and appealed to them to dress modestly at all times. He charged them to begin their studies with all seriousness and stay focused irrespective of the challenges of their new environment. "Develop your skills for critical thinking and analyse situations with the view of applying the knowledge you will acquire while in school to help solve societal problems."