Ho, Jan.10, GNA- Work on some of the GETFund projects at the Ho Polytechnic in the Volta Region is behind schedule. The projects affected are the new library, a 450-capacity students hostel and 11 staff bungalows.

There were no workers at the various project sites, but for a few security men.

This came to light when newsmen were shown round the projects by the new Principal of the Polytechnic, Dr Komla Agbeko Dzisi on Tuesday to commemorate his first hundred days in office. Dr Dzisi took over from Dr. Mawusi Afeti in October last year. Dr Afeti was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic for 13 years. Mr Francis Dzineku, the Polytechnic Secretary said the library was two years behind schedule and that only one of the 11 staff bungalows had been completed.

Dr Dzisi said the delay in the completion of the projects especially, the library and staff bungalows was affecting academic work. On academic developments at the Polytechnic, Dr Dzisi said the institution has signed a memorandum of understanding with a University in Australia to run some of its courses at the Polytechnic. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) would also be running its Executive Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme at the Polytechnic.

The Polytechnic was also consulting the Air College of Scotland and the Gambia Technical Training Institute with European Union (EU) support for a students and teachers exchange programme, collaborative research and continuous training of staff.

Dr Dzisi said the Polytechnic would in April this year commence a bridging programme in Mathematics, Science, English Language and theoretical knowledge for technical and vocational students in the Volta region to upgrade them to pursue Higher National Diplomas in their various fields.

He was optimistic that, with their practical orientation, the technical students would prove to be competent technician engineers needed in the industrial sector.

Dr Dzisi said the Polytechnic was also consulting with the University of Education (UEW) Winneba to establish a department to train technical teachers for basic schools in the country. He hinted that the Polytechnic could become a Technical University in future if the need arises.

Dr Dzisi said 15 lecturers of the Polytechnic were now pursuing various Doctorate and Masters in Science degrees. 10 Jan 07