The Unit which would be providing pipettes, burettes and test tubes is expected to produce for the local markets with the view of reducing the expenses on the importation of the equipment.

The establishment of the GH?3 million unit was made possible with support from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education (COTVET) as well as funding from the University.

In an address to inaugurate the Glassblowing Unit, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof. George K.T. Oduro acknowledged the critical role of science education in the nation’s development process.

He also stated that the university had the capacity to promote the teaching of science and research which would produce the human resource base in the area of science and research education.

He, therefore, appealed to the government to pay the needed attention in the promotion of science education in the country.

The University, he said, was committed in promoting science education in the country as it continues to offer avenues for students with passion for science education to acquire the needed skills.

Professor Oduro however appealed to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to revisit the remedial classes for science students which was suspended by the university.

He gave an assurance of UCC’s commitment in maintaining the unit to ensure a prolong lifespan.

The Project Coordinator and Head of COTVET-Project Support Unit, Mathew Dally, in his address, explained that the Department of Research, Innovation and Consultancy of UCC was part of the just ended Ghana Skills and Technology Development Project which was implemented by COTVET with funding from the World Bank and DANIDA.

COTVET, he said, supported DRIC with a total of GH?1,329,844.07 to acquire modern glassblowing technology and expressed optimism that the directorate would work marketing the products to laboratories in Ghana.

Other departments on UCC campus, such as the Department of Vocational and Technical Education and the Department of Aquatic Sciences had also received assistance from COTVET.

He commended the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for the level of commitment and professionalism it exhibited towards the implementation of all projects carried out in the university.

The Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, UCC, Prof David K. Essuman, in his remarks appealed to heads of educational and health institutions to partner with UCC as it strive to provide the products to the local market.

He also urged members of the Conference of Head Assistant Secondary School (CHASS) and the Ghana Association of Science Teachers (GAST) to ensure that they patronise products from the glassware unit.

Former Minister of Education and a former Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, for her part, commended the University for coming out with the refurbishment of the glassblowing unit to provide products for the country’s laboratories.

From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast