IPS to have University status soon

Accra, Nov. 27, GNA - A draft bill, seeking to change the name of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) to the University of Professional Studies is currently with the Minister of Education. The Internal Audit Agency with support from the World Bank had also contracted the Institute to develop a curriculum for the training of Internal Auditors in the country.

Professor Joshua Alabi, Rector of the IPS, announced these at ceremony for 1,087 IPS graduants, made up of 551 Diploma holders and 536 Degree holders. He said the curriculum if developed would be made available to other tertiary institutions that would seek to run programmes in Internal Auditing.

Prof. Alabi said that last April, the IPS branch of University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) was inaugurated by the National Executives of UTAG, making the institute the seventh member of the association. He said the IPS clinic had undertaken community health activities regarding HIV infection, administering of Hepatitis B vaccines and eye screening for students, staff and food vendors on campus. Prof. Alabi said a multi-purpose library was being constructed in addition to the two existing facilities to enhance teaching and learning at IPS.

He cautioned the general public against the use of false documents in applying for admission into the Institute. Prof. Alabi advised the graduants to be good ambassadors of the country and "open their eyes, minds, and hearts and dream big" to enable them to face the challenges of life. Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister for Education, in a speech read on his behalf, said the IPS had improved its academic and professional training and curriculum development after receiving a Presidential Charter less than two years ago.

He said the Government was committed to providing teachers with their needs.

Mr. Tettey-Enyo said with oil and gas find, IPS should be able to formulate a comprehensive programme for the management of the sector. He advised the gradaunts to apply skills and knowledge acquired during their training, in the job market. Some of the graduants, who spoke to GNA, expressed satisfaction that they have completed their education and promised to contribute to national development. 27 Nov. 10