Tarkwa, (W/R) Aug. 19, GNA- The Minister of State for Education and Sports in-charge of Tertiary Education, Miss Elizabeth Ohene on Thursday said by its history, geographical location and the name that it bears, the University of Mines and Technology must have its focus on the industry that gave birth to it.

"Whilst not trying to inhibit its growth in anyway, I would urge you to remain true to your calling of mines and technology and all its attendant disciplines."

The Minister said this when she inaugurated 19 University Council members at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Tarkwa in the Western Region.

She said there must be room for the establishment of a faculty of Environment studies with emphasis on mining and forestry, adding that they would not be straying off if they went into marine engineering. Miss Ohene urged the University to strive to become a centre of excellence for an identifiable sector because it was the government's policy to redirect the focus of education onto science and technology to make the nation more competitive, adding that mining and relevant industries should see the institution as theirs and worthy of their support.

She urged the council members to see it as part of their task to help raise the needed funds through innovative ways.

Dr. Jean Aka, Chairman of the UMaT council said the vision of the University was to become a centre of excellence in Ghana and Africa in producing world-class professionals in the fields of mining, technology and related disciplines.

He said UMaT would attain this through effective teaching and learning to provide higher education.

Dr. Aka said UMaT would promote knowledge through active research and dissemination of information, adding that the University would also offer professional services through extension activities to the mining and allied industries.

He said it was for these reasons that Professor Daniel Mireku Gyimah was appointed to be the Vice Chancellor after a thorough scrutiny.

Professor Mireku Gyimah, a Professor of Mining Engineering has worked at the University for the past 25 years.

He holds a PhD and DIC degrees in Computer-aided Mine Design and Planning from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London and MSc degree in Mining Engineering from the Moscow Mining Institute.

Professor Mireku Gyimah is also a fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineers, a member of the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists, the New York Academic of Sciences, the Institution of Mining Metallurgy of London and a member of the American Society of Mining Engineers. He is a chartered Engineer accredited by the British Engineering Council and has over 30 publications to his credit.

Miss Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and a member of the University Council launched a 100-million billion cedis endowment fund.

The University gave an initial 50 million cedis seed money from the University's internally generated fund.