Koforidua, May 29, GNA - Mr Godfried Abledu, acting Rector, Koforidua Polytechnic, has observed that the widening gap between academia and industry in relation to graduate output and industry's demand has become a perennial problem.

"These are reflected in the soaring graduate-unemployment figures and increased over-dependence on imported goods and services with the attendant problems of brain-drain and perpetual schooling of graduates, who should be contributing their quota in the world of work," he said. Mr Abledu, who was speaking at the 3rd Annual Applied Research of the Polytechnic called for closer cooperation from all polytechnics to pool resources together in the training and development of a more formidable workforce for the country.

He said that would require extensive collaboration in areas of research curriculum development, staff/student exchange and student industrial attachment.

Mr Abledu indicated that funding of relevant research and the institution of awards for deserving students would go a long way to strengthen the linkage between the 'theory' in the classrooms and the 'practice' of industry.

Ms Phyllis Tetteh, Conference Coordinator, in a message on behalf of the organizing committee, said the country was faced with many challenges in its developmental process, adding that the solution to that laid in "our ability to link the theories of our research findings to the practical situations".

She said polytechnic education was meant to solve practical problems adding that at Koforidua Polytechnic, they were practicing what they preach. "Currently, we are not just offering students employable skills, but also offering practical solutions to some of the problems of our community". Ms Tetteh said the Automotive Engineering Department of the Polytechnic has set up a workshop, which services vehicles in the community, while the Hospitality Department provides catering services for the polytechnic community and other public functions. "Our Computer Science Department can fix any old computer and link any number of computers for clients in and outside of the polytechnic". Nana Nkwantabisa, Chairman of Council of the Polytechnic, who presided over the Conference, expressed the hope that the lessons learnt at the conference would guide the polytechnics in their future deliberations. The two-day conference was under the theme: "Strengthening the linkage between theory and practice". 29 May 10