A total of 953 Higher National Diploma (HND) students who completed their studies at the Koforidua Polytechnic in 2012 were on Saturday presented with certificates during the ninth congregation of the Institute.
Professor Reynolds Okai, the Rector of the Polytechnic, said 23 of the graduates obtained First Class honors with 469 students obtaining Second Class Upper, whilst 492 students obtained Second Class Lower.
He commended the graduands on their achievements but cautioned them against arrogance and indiscipline at workplaces.
Professor Okai reminded them that life is not rosy adding that success calls for perseverance, hard work and self-discipline among other virtues.
He announced that the Polytechnic, which started with 47 students in the 1996/97 academic year, now has student population of 5,724.
“Starting with two HND programmes 15 years ago, the polytechnic now offers two Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) programmes in Procurement and Automotive Engineering and HND programmes in 19 disciplines”.
Professor Okai said the polytechnic had shown its commitment to research and publications by the continual support of the research proposals of staff through its allocation for Staff Development/Research from the Ghana Education Trust (GETFUND).
He said the polytechnic won a research proposal submitted to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) worth 750,000.00 dollars to conduct research into renewable energy.
Professor Esther O. Sakyi-Dawson, a member of the Polytechnic Council, reminded the graduands that for them to survive and continue to remain relevant in the world of work, they needed to cultivate good time-management, good financial management and adherence to job rules and regulations.
“Plan your day properly and learn financial discipline well. Learn to save and invest in other investment portfolios available on the financial market”.
Professor Sakyi-Dawson called on education providers to add to the training of students the good job ethics and also to forge close partnership with Industries.
Nana Nkwantabisa III, the Chairman of the Polytechnic Council, commended the government for sustaining the Polytechnic through the GETFUND.
He however stressed the need for the polytechnic to be given special funding from the GETFUND to accelerate its infrastructural development.
