The Government has amended the Education Regulatory Policy Act (Act 1023) to officially grant private universities a seat on the governing board of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
Education Minister, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, announced the legislative change during the commissioning of a new 200-bed hostel facility at the Wisconsin International University College in Feyiase.
He revealed that the GTEC governing board will soon be reconstituted to formally induct a representative from the country’s private tertiary institutions.
Commending the private sector’s role in expanding tertiary capacity, Hon Iddrisu specifically praised Wisconsin International University College for absorbing the excess student population that public universities lack the capacity to admit.
However, he challenged both public and private institutions to remain fiercely committed to the three core values expected by the government: access, relevance, and quality.
The Minister raised concerns over a growing trend of higher education institutions drifting away from their foundational mandates.
He urged universities to strictly realign their academic programs with the actual manpower and socioeconomic needs of the country.
Highlighting rapid technological shifts, Hon Iddrisu pointed to the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a critical frontier.
He tasked tertiary institutions with preparing students to effectively leverage AI in teaching and learning environments without compromising overall academic productivity.
The Education Minister emphasised that Ghana’s future hinges entirely on the youth.
He noted that equipping the younger generation with cutting-edge skills in technology, research, and entrepreneurship remains paramount to the nation’s development.
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