The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Tarkwa, will from next academic year, begin four new programmes.

The courses which have already been approved by the National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE) and National Accreditation Board (NAB) include Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering, Mast of Science in Engineering Management, Mine Management, and Business Technology.

Professor Jerry Kuma, Vice Chancellor of UMaT dropped the hint at the university’s 11th matriculation ceremony at Tarkwa for fresh students.

Prof. Kuma disclosed that this year the university received a total of 1,639 applications for admission from Ghanaians and other foreign applicants, but was able to admit only 510 candidates representing 31 percent of the applicants, to pursue various courses in mining and petroleum engineering.

He said out of the total, 442 representing 87 percent, were males, while 68 representing 13 percent were females.

He said efforts had been made to encourage more women to venture into engineering education over the past years through their gender mainstreaming policy.

“We will therefore continue to evolve new initiatives to sustain the mainstreaming programme to encourage more females to pursue engineering programmes in our university,” he said.

In the area of Post-graduate admissions, Prof. Kuma said the university admitted 55 students to pursue various programmes leading to Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees.

This, he said, brought the total post-graduate student population to 312, which is 14 percent of the current total student enrolment of 2,215.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the goal of the university over the years, had been to increase total post-graduate enrolment into the university to 30 percent of the total student population in the near future.

He said the authorities would pursue this goal with the seriousness it deserved, to encourage practising engineers and professionals to be admitted into various programmes to train them to develop advanced mining and allied engineering skills without leaving their jobs through their innovative modular programmes.

He advised the fresh students to abide by the regulations of the institution, to avoid being caught up with the law, and possible dismissals.

On the consumption of utilities, Prof. Kuma advised students to be economical, since those who deliberately misused water and electricity would be sanctioned.

The Vice Chancellor said although the government had for now exempted the Umat from disconnection, while a solution was found for payment, it was not a panacea for students to misuse utilities.

“Management is working with student leadership to severely sanction those who will leave their lights and taps in their room on when they exit their room for lecture,” he added.