The Takoradi Technical University in the Western Region, on Thursday launched a five-year strategic plan aimed at propelling the newly created Technical University to a higher height among industries and academic players.

The strategic plan which followed official inauguration of the institution by an Act of Parliament, Technical University Act (2016), Act 922 would focus on advance institutional delivery in engineering and applied sciences and other disciplines which are technology-based to contribute to the advancement of the Region and Ghana as a whole.

Mr Ato Panford, Council Member who presented an overview and officially launched the 48-page document tasked stakeholders as well as of the polytechnic community to work hard in realising the objectives of the Plan.

'Behavioural changes will be required to achieve the plan', he added and urged them to memorise the vision and mission statement, become more committed to duty even more than before to make the University the most preferred engineering and applied sciences university of choice devoted to excellent teaching.

He said the University had dynamically positioned itself on its two core faculties ; Engineering and Applied Sciences to make higher education equal and accessible to all, develop strong linkages and collaboration with relevant industries, businesses, professional bodies and technical experts in the delivery of such competence based course.

The Strategic plan is expected to provide clear objectives and direction for the University, identify and focus on viable and realistic strategies and activities, promote optimum utilisation of resources, enhance improved provision of services and promote responsiveness to environmental force.

The five-year plan would also help to create opportunities for growth, expansion and sustainability, maximise the realisation of stated goals and improve the image of the Technical University through aggressive promotional campaigns and corporate branding.

It would in addition set clear output and outcome targets and indicators against, which the Technical University performance would be measured and adjudged.

Professor John Eshun, Vice Chancellor of the Takoradi Technical University, said the University would remain focused on its core responsibility of training technicians and technologists at a higher level to meet the exigencies of the rapidly changing, technology-driven work environment.

He said the conversion of the Polytechnic into a Technical University was expected to help reposition itself as a strategic institution for training highly skilled human resource to drive the nation's socio-economic development as well as achieving 'parity of esteem' with the traditional universities.

Prof Eshun said: 'Management is also committed to ensuring a successful implementation of this strategic plan and continuously provide an enabling environment to that we realize our potential as a tertiary institution'.

The Technical University Bill was passed into law on September 1, to authenticate the formal conversion of all polytechnics in the country into Technical Universities.

GNA