Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Mr Kwame Dattey, Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board, on Saturday appealed to tertiary institutions to establish internal quality assurance units in order to periodically assess their performance. This, he said, would enhance quality standards of tertiary products and enable institutions to meet targets in helping to meet development goals.

Mr Dattey made the call in Accra at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) matriculation ceremony for the 2008/2009 students batch. He also stressed the need for tertiary institutions to conduct more academic and professional research to contribute to general knowledge and assist society in addressing basic problems. As a professional institute, he challenged IPS to establish close links with the business and industrial communities to enable faculty members conduct research that would help solve some challenges confronting the sectors.

"In the same vein, strategies should be evolved to attract experienced business practitioners to interact and share their experiences with faculty and students to get a feel of the real world", Mr Dattey said.

He called on institutions to take global technological and economic trends into account when designing their curricula in order to churn out products relevant for the job market.

He commended IPS for designing additional programmes to help provide more opportunities for eligible candidates, but warned that opening more avenues should not be at the expense of quality education. Professor Joshua Alibi, Acting Rector of IPS, said IPS intended to establish a Quality Assurance Directorate to assess its performance. He said IPS had come out with a journal for business research to help publish research papers and findings.

As the only public institution mandated by law to offer both degree and professional programmes, Prof. Alibi said, IPS would remain focused on its vision to become the leading business professional education provider and institute of excellence in Africa and beyond. Prof Alabi said IPS would begin Master of Administration programmes next academic year, as part of efforts to meet emerging needs of the commerce and industry.

He appealed to the students to make good use of opportunities on campus and to study hard to achieve higher academic laurels. "As bona fide students of this institute, I implore you to avoid examination malpractice of any kind. You are also to be cautious of secret societies and cultism', Prof Alabi said. Mr Idris Egala, Chairman of IPS Council, suggested the introduction of online education and week-end classes in IPS to expand access to tertiary education.

In all 2,091 students were admitted to pursue undergraduate courses in business administration.

They include the first batch of students for a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance and tertiary diploma in Accounting, Marketing, and Public Relations Management.