Article 2012

Assessing the Higher National Diploma Chemical Engineering programme in Ghana: students' perspective

European Journal of Engineering Education
Journal · Vol. 37 · Issue 2 · pp. 205-215
Abstract

Chemical engineers have played key roles in the growth of the chemical and allied industries in Ghana but indigenous industries that have traditionally been the domain of the informal sector need to be migrated to the formal sector through the entrepreneurship and innovation of chemical engineers. The Higher National Diploma Chemical Engineering programme is being migrated from a subject-based to a competency-based curriculum. This paper evaluates the programme from the point of view of students. Data were drawn from a survey conducted in the department and were analysed using SPSS. The survey involved administering questionnaires to students at all levels in the department. Analysis of the responses indicated that the majority of the students had decided to pursue chemical engineering due to the career opportunities available. Their knowledge of the programme learning outcomes was, however, poor. The study revealed that none of the students was interested in developing indigenous industries. © 2012 Copyright SEFI.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Curriculum development student perception Ghana chemical engineering Higher national diploma

Index Keywords

Learning outcome Curricula Students Student perceptions Curriculum development Engineers industry Ghana informal sector Career opportunities Surveys Chemical engineering Allied industries Chemical engineers Formal sector higher national diploma
Author Affiliations
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Polytechnic, Kumasi, Ghana
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 8 References
1 50 Years of Educational Progress and Challenge in Ghana, (2010)
2 Bensah, Edem Cudjoe, Migrating from subject-based to competency-based training in Higher National Diploma Chemical Engineering: The case of Kumasi Polytechnic, Education for Chemical Engineers, 6, 3, pp. e71-e82, (2011)
3 Fitzpatrick, John J., Making programme learning outcomes explicit for students of process and chemical engineering, Education for Chemical Engineers, 4, 2, pp. 21-28, (2009)
4 undefined, (2012)
5 Partnership with Inter American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training Cinterfor Online, (2006)
6 Guidebook for Staff and Students, (2010)
7 Competency Based Education and Training A Humanistic and Realistic Approach to Technical and Vocational Instruction, (1987)
8 Competency Based Approach to Training, (1995)
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