The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa on Thursday launched its 60th anniversary with a call on the administration of the University and students to continue the hard work they had exhibited over the past years.

The year long celebration will be marked by activities such as procession through the principal street of Tarkwa, conferences, quiz competitions, lectures and host of others.

Giving a brief history about the University, Professor Daniel Meriku-Gyimah, vice chancellor of UMaT, said the University started as the Tarkwa Technical Institute (TTI) on November 3, 1952 but was official inaugurated by the Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Charles Noble Arden Clark on October 7, 1961.

He said in 1961 it was recognized to become the Tarkwa School of Mines (TSM) to train the required manpower for the mining and allied industries in Ghana.

Professor Meriku-Gyimah said in 1976, the then government took cognizance of the capability of TMS and its strategic location and was therefore affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KUNST) as a faculty of the University so as to enable TMS offer degree, diploma and certificate programmes in mining and related fields.

In 2001, he said, the council of KUNST considered and approved proposals as well as recommendations of the academic board to merge the School of Mines at Tarkwa with he Western University College of KUNST, Tarkwa.

The vice chancellor said on November 3, 2004 Parliament of Ghana passed the bill of UMaT into an act of Parliament and the President on November 12 subsequently gave the Presidential assent.

He commended the government, Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Omanhene of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area for the immense contribution they had made towards the development of the University.

Professor Bruce Banoeng-Yakubu, University Council Chairman congratulated past principals and stakeholders for nurturing and supporting the school financially and materially.

He unveiled the anniversary cloth, T shirts and caps and appealed to the public to patronize them to reflect the true beauty of the University.

The ceremony was attended by the Omanhene of Wassa Fiase Traditional area, Osagyefo Dr.Kwamena Enimil VI, former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Joyce Aryee and vice-chancellors of m other Universities.