The 2000 Alumni Year Group of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management has donated computers and accessories valued at GH¢ 40,000 to enhance teaching, learning and research at the Department.
Presentation
Presenting the computers, a representative of the group, Prof. Ishmael Mensah, noted that the donation was intended to equip students with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills so that they could become competitive after their university education. He indicated that the donation formed part of their contribution towards the 10th anniversary project.
Prof. Mensah explained that the alumni decided to establish a computer laboratory for the Department and each year groups was asked to donate towards the project. “I must say the 2000 Year Group set the pace and because it is our 10th anniversary we decided to do something more substantial,” he indicated.
NComputing
He said the computers used one of the latest applications known as “Ncomputing” He explained that the “NComputing desktop virtualization is a modern concept where multiple users share the central processing unit (CPU) of single computer. This approach has several advantages over the traditional PC model, including lower overall costs, better energy efficiency, and simplified administration,” he noted.
Appreciation
The Head of Department, Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Fay Amissah, commended the 200 year group for the gesture. She noted that the donation. She indicated that the donation would help the Department to achieve one of the aims of the Department’s 10th anniversary. “These computers will go a long way to enhance teaching and learning especially in courses like Computer Applications in Hospitality and Tourism, Front Office Management, Ticketing and Reservation. Tour Operating Management among others,” she explained.
Practical Nature
Dr. Amissah said because of the practical nature of the programmes, the computers would help to provide hands-on skills and experience to the students. She assured that the computers would be put to good so that more students could have access to them. She used the opportunity to appeal to other year groups of the Department to emulate the example of the 2000 year group adding that the Department is facing more challenges, hence, we will require their support.
The Head of Department announced that the Department would soon conduct tracer studies to find out how its students were faring in their respective places of work. “We want to know where our students are and in what in what capacities,” she added.