Sunyani Technical University (STU) has officially launched its year-long 60th anniversary celebrations alongside a new five-year Strategic Plan (2026–2030), reaffirming its commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to drive Ghana's industrialisation and sustainable national development.
The anniversary, being celebrated under the theme "STU, 60 Years of Excellence: Advancing STEM and TVET for Industry Leadership and Sustainable National Development," marks six decades of the institution's evolution from the Sunyani Technical Institute in 1967, through its transition into a polytechnic in 1997, to its elevation to a technical university in 2016.
Speaking at the launch in Sunyani, the Vice-Chancellor, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, described the occasion as a historic milestone, noting that the university had remained faithful to its mandate of producing highly skilled manpower through practical, industry-oriented education.
He traced the institution's growth over the past 60 years and paid tribute to its founders, including Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and the chiefs and people of the Sunyani Traditional Area whose land donation made the establishment of the institution possible. He also acknowledged the continued support of the Paramount Chief of the Sunyani Traditional Council, Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, in protecting the university's lands against encroachment.
Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah announced that a series of activities would be held from now until June 2027 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. These include public lectures, innovation and technology exhibitions, industry-academia roundtable discussions, career and entrepreneurship fairs, community outreach programmes, alumni homecoming, sports festivals, fundraising events, an awards night and a grand anniversary durbar.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye, said the anniversary was not only a celebration of the university's rich history but also an opportunity to prepare the institution for the future.
He observed that rapid advances in artificial intelligence, automation, renewable energy and digital technologies demanded graduates who were innovative, entrepreneurial and globally competitive.
Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye reaffirmed the Council's commitment to providing strategic leadership to position STU as a leading centre of excellence in STEM and TVET through sustained investment in research, digital transformation, faculty development and stronger industry partnerships.
He appealed to government, industry, alumni, development partners and other stakeholders to support the university's ambitious vision, describing the anniversary as an opportunity to reconnect with alumni, mobilise resources and chart a bold path for the next six decades.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Jones Lewis Arthur, said the Diamond Jubilee represented more than the celebration of the university's longevity.
According to him, the occasion symbolised six decades of excellence, resilience, innovation and transformation while offering the university the opportunity to renew its commitment to teaching, research, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
Prof. Arthur, who is also the Director of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning, explained that the new Strategic Plan would serve as the institution's roadmap towards becoming Ghana's preferred technical university and a recognised leader in Africa's technological and industrial transformation.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the university's third Strategic Plan, which is themed "Educating for Innovation and Sustainable Transformation." The blueprint is anchored on two strategic pillars and nine priority areas aimed at strengthening academic excellence, expanding market-driven TVET programmes, modernising infrastructure, integrating information and communication technology and artificial intelligence into university operations, enhancing quality assurance, improving resource mobilisation, strengthening governance, promoting internationalisation and building a vibrant alumni network.
The Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Vincent Antwi Agyei, who represented the Bono Regional Minister, emphasized government’s unwavering commitment at promoting the growth and development of STU.
The launch attracted traditional authorities, government officials, representatives of sister universities, alumni, staff, students, development partners and members of the public, who pledged their support towards the successful implementation of the university's strategic vision and the year-long anniversary celebrations.