The University of Ghana has taken delivery of the a decommissioned aircraft from the Ghana Air Force as part of its plans to establish a Department of Aeronautic and Space Technology at the School of Engineering Sciences at the University.
The aircraft, Aermacchi MB-339 jet trainer, is expected to help the school offer practical training to its students as well as promote aviation engineering in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff at the ceremony on Thursday [November 10], the Air Vice Marshall Maxwell Mantsebi Teye Naggi said the partnership between the School and the Air Force will help equip students with the necessary experience for careers and other opportunities in the Air Force.
“There are many benefits that will accrue to both the University of Ghana and the Ghana Air Force based on the MOU that we have established. These include the availability of Ghana Air Force facilities at the school of trade training in Accra for the practical training of the College’s engineering students. The exchange of faculty resource persons between the University and school of trade training of the Air Force to build relevant capacities and to enrich course content of both schools,” he said.
He also indicated that the agreement between the two institutions will enhance professionalism of the Engineering Corps of the Ghana Air Force through internationally recognized but locally-available certification programmes.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro-Owusu said the school will enroll the first batch of students to pursue courses in Aeronautics and Space Technology studies in the 2017/2018 academic year.
He said with the arrival of the aircraft to the university, the School of Engineering Sciences will fast-track ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure a successful running of the program.
He also said the school was working assiduously to obtain government approval and accreditation to run the programs.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana