Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNET) on Monday presented 15 computers and a printer worth 20,000 dollars to the Chemistry Department of University of Ghana, Legon as part of its social responsibility programme.

The donation coincided with the beginning of the University's Computer Science Week Celebration.

Mr Nortey K. Omaboe, Executive Chairman of GCNET, said the Company had now become a major stakeholder in the development of Ghana's Information Technology (IT) industry, and was pleased to make a modest contribution to the University in pursuance of its prime objective. "We are planning to engage the University in designing an internship programme that would enable students to gain practical insight and exposure in various IT related careers to enhance prospects on an on-going basis" he said.

Mr Omaboe noted that ICT had a critical role to play in the economic development of the country and expressed the need for Ghanaian entities to contribute towards the effective development of the sector. He hoped that with the computers, the learning environment would become more congenial for the attainment of excellence to impact total learning experience positively and purposefully. Receiving the items Prof. Clifford Tagoe, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, said it was a step towards the right direction as the computers would equip students academically and also make them competent in their various fields.

He said: "Looking at ICT in a big way the policy is that all activities on campus would be driven by ICT."

He said the Department was facing a number of constraints, particularly lack of relevant computer hardware and software that students and faculty lectures could use to facilitate the teaching and learning process.

Prof. Tagoe said the University would set up an ICT centre and micro processing laboratory to train students. He said plans were being made for students to have their own laptop computers to enable them to work everywhere and make learning easier. Prof Tagoe told GCNET that the computers would be put to good use and called on stakeholders to also assist the University.

The President of the Computer Science Association, Samuel Ayittey on behalf of its members also donated a projector and a notebook to the Department to be used by lecturers to enhance teaching and learning.