A lecturer, has identified rote learning as the bane to educational development and has advised students to adopt new approaches to studying, to make Ghana a player in the global economy.
Dr Robert Baffour, Vice President of the Ghana Telecom University (GTUC), who gave the advice said, “Chew, pour, pass and forget”, model of learning, has not worked for this nation.”
He was speaking at the eight matriculation ceremony for 159 students admitted for the 2010/2011 academic year.
Dr Baffour challenged students to adopt good learning habits, devoid of academic distractions, in order to put to good use, the knowledge and skills they would acquire from the university.
He chastised some students, who mishandle educational facilities on campus, meant to enhance teaching and learning, for un-academic and frivolous activities.
“As we speak now, some of your colleagues are sitting at different locations of the campus, downloading movies on YouTube, instead of course video materials,” he said.
Dr Baffour reminded the students the mission of GTUC’s, was to produce graduates who were bold, confident, articulate, professionals, entrepreneurial and visionaries, with deep sense of social and ethical responsibilities, and urged the students to measure up to the standard.
“Part of your goal is to help take Africa to the promise land and GTUC will give you the tools you need.”
Dr Osei Darkwa, President of GTUC said the future of the country was dependent on the willingness of the citizenry, particularly students, to harness new information and communication technologies to advance Ghana’s development.
“This is the key that can open the doors of the new global economy and its benefits to us,” he said, adding that, a nation, which is unable to join the new economic order was locked out of the new global economy and would remain as a marginal player on the world economic stage.
Dr Osei advised the matriculants to apply themselves to the moral and social lessons they would receive from clubs and other forms of social networks available on campus.
“Some of the most valuable lessons you will learn at GTUC will occur outside the classroom. We have a number of clubs and associations on campus and we encourage you to get involved in its activities,” he said.
Dr Osei challenged the students to brace themselves to become a generation of transformational leaders, builders and actors, who were ready “to move society to the next stage of evolution.”
“We need people from every generation to step forward and carry the flag of this country high. We need a collective vision that describes the kind of world we want to create.”