UMaT Signs MoU with Ilma Institute of Science and Technology

Prof Kuma and Dr Nii Kotey Djane Exchanging the Signed Documents

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ilma Institute of Science and Technology (IIST), Accra at a short ceremony held in the office of the Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Prof J. S. Y. Kuma, initialled for UMaT whilst Dr Nii-Kotey Djane, the Founder and President of IIST signed for his institute.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof J. S. Y. Kuma, indicated that the MoU was signed in the spirit of the University’s academic relations and co-operation and that was the reason their request for UMaT to collaborate with them was in the right direction. He highlighted some of the achievements of the University and why the MoU would yield maximum mutual benefits for the two institutions. Prof Kuma further said that they had made the right choice by coming to UMaT for this collaboration because UMaT was the best public funded University and the most compliant of the standards and norms of the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) in Ghana today. He told the team that UMaT has the best Student-Teacher Ratio in science and engineering, a strong quality assurance system, practically oriented programmes, a very serene and a disciplined academic environment conducive for learning and competitive school fees regime.

Prof Kuma further indicated that, as a specialised institution that trains engineers, UMaT’s programmes are designed such that a balance is achieved between theory and practicals. This balance is to enable UMaT graduates to get the requisite hands-on skills to prepare them adequately to enter the world of work. According to Prof Kuma field trips are therefore arranged for all students to mining and allied industries and then during the vacation, a considerable number of students are able to secure attachment to some mining, petroleum and other allied industries for internship.

According to Dr Nii-Kotey Djane, Founder and President of Ilma Institute of Science and Technology (IIST), he and his team were grateful to UMaT for accepting to mentor them.  He indicated further that they found University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa as an ideal institution because according UMaT is a well established University in the country that could help them advance in their quest to become one of the best Science and Technology Institutes in the country. The President said that he was very excited that they had come to give meaning to the discussions that had started sometime ago and was hopeful the MoU will bring mutual benefits to the two institutions going forward.

The general objective of the MoU is to establish a framework and define guidelines for UMaT to mentor IIST for the training of academically qualified and professionally competent engineers as stipulated under the guidelines for affiliation by the National Accreditation Board (NAB), Ghana. It is also to ensure that IIST attains and maintains high standards for the promotion of academic quality in the fields of Computer Science and Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering.  The MoU also stipulates that UMaT shall award Certificates to graduates of IIST.

Present at the signing ceremony from UMaT were the Pro Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Assoc Prof V. A. Temeng, the Dean of Planning and Quality Assurance Unit, Assoc Prof S. Al-Hassan and the Dean of the Office of International Programmes, Assoc Prof E. K. Asiam. Also present from IIST were the Legal Representative, Nua Yaa Owusu-Aduome. The Registrar of UMaT witnessed for UMaT whilst the Legal Representative witnessed for IIST.

Source : UMaT.edu.gh [Paul Y. A. Yeboah, Assistant Registrar (University Relations)]