Legon improves ICT tecnology

Accra, Oct 1, GNA - The University of Ghana (UG), Legon, is undertaking a comprehensive improvement in Information Communication Technology (ICT) to encourage and facilitate teaching, learning and research. Prof. Clifford Tagoe, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University said, so far 17,419 students had e-mail addresses on the University system, and since the beginning of the first semester of the 2005/2006 academic year, over 3,300 students had enrolled in basic computer training programmes.

Prof. Tagoe spoke of the programmes at this year's matriculation ceremony of new students admitted for various undergraduate and graduate programmes in the University held at the week-end.

Prof Tagoe said it was the hope of the University that, by the end of the academic year, at least 50 per cent of students without computer knowledge would be able to use computers.

He said three of the four floors of the Legon ICT Centre had been fully equipped and were in use, while the fourth floor, where 150 computers would be installed, was being furnished and networked.

He said the faculties were also being networked for installation of computers, and announced that a contract had been signed with the African Virtual University to increase the bandwidth from 1.5 megabytes to five, adding that equipment for the facility would soon be in place. Plans, the Acting Vice Chancellor said, were also far advanced to re-build the mast that would link the Main Campus to the Accra City Campus and Korle Bu, so that students there could benefit from the expanded facilities on the main Legon campus.

On physical infrastructure, Prof Tagoe said four new lecture halls were opened during the course of the year and the construction of a modern sport complex was underway while work on the Faculty of Law building was due to resume shortly with funds from the GETFund. He said the second phase of the VALCO Hostel project was almost complete. Also, 240 students being the first batch had been taken under the Presidential Initiative Hostel Programme.

Also work on the second phase of the Jubilee Hostel was far advanced, while the Ghana Hostels Limited had started the construction of its hostel to accommodate 3,000 students.

Prof. Tagoe called for the revival of cost-sharing to provide quality education.

He warned against examination malpractices, and advised the students to be focused, and be balanced in their studies, their spiritual life and other extra curricular activities. 01 Oct 05