Chemical Engineering

 

The Department is one of the newest in the Polytechnic and has a reputation within industry and academia for producing highly trained, competent and professional chemical engineers. It was established in 1996 to primarily train personnel’s to fill middle-level positions in the chemical and allied industries. It is among the only two Chemical Engineering Departments in the country, and the only Department that trains students to the level of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemical Engineering.  Since its inception in 1996 it has been at the forefront of defining the frontiers of the field.

The Department’s mission is to train students from a wide variety of educational and social backgrounds with high-quality education in a practical-and-research led environment through its commitment to both teaching and research with staff working at the frontiers of academic enquiry. We are very proud of our educational programs at this level and are committed to preparing our students for leadership roles in the chemical and allied fields. The department is currently made up of six (6) distinguished and dedicated Lectures and three (3) supporting staff.

Mike Agbesi Acheampong

Head of Department

THE CHOICE OF WHERE AND WHAT TO STUDY

Choosing where to study and what to study is difficult and highly personal matter. Existing capabilities, individual preferences and an assessment of later career opportunities decide which subject/course/programme is chosen and thus mark out a criteria direction. The courses on offer, the location and relevance of the courses to the profession practiced later are determining factors when choosing the right higher institution.

Students, who choose Kumasi Polytechnic look for practical-based courses and active dialogue with potential employers, want a compact campus without overfilled lectures, and expert future-oriented learning. And not least then decide in favour of living and learning in one of the most charming cities in Ghana and Africa, with the Polytechnic located at the heart of the city – making life comfortable for students. After all, the choice of where to study is of all a question of quality life.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students for the programme should satisfy the following admission requirements:

SSSCE APLLICANTS

  • Six (6) passes in three (3) core subjects, including English Language, Mathematics and three (3) elective subjects, including Mathematics, and Chemistry.

GCE APPLICANTS

 

  • Credit passes in five (5) GCE O-Level subjects including English Language and Mathematics

 

AND

 

  • At least two (2) GCE A-Level passes including Chemistry and Mathematics.

 

MATURE APPLICANTS

  • Be at least thirty (30) years old
  • Have five (5) GCE O-Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics (with science background)
  • Have at least three (3) years working experience in chemical related industries.
  • Pass written aptitude test (English Language, Mathematics, General Knowledge) and an interview.

DURATION OF THE HND PROGRAMME

 

The programme has three (3) academic years made up of six (6) semesters of sixteen (16) weeks each. Even though the duration is three years, students have five years in which to complete the programme to allow for referrals.

 

 

PROGRESSION

The Department has proposed and hoping to run a Bachelor of Technology (B’Tech) programme, which when started will allow HND graduates to spend 12-18 more months to obtain a B’Tech degree.

 


    LABORATORY FACILITIES

 

The department has been equipped with the following ultramodern facilities for running it laboratory and demonstration works.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Computer Interfaced Batch Distillation Unit fitted with a PID controller<!--[if !supportLists]-->

Computer Interfaced Solid/Liquid Extraction Column

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Computer Interfaced Heat Exchanger Service Unit and accessories (e.g. Jacketed Vessel, Plate and Frame and Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->CHEMCAD SOFTWARE

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Reactor Service Unit & CSTR

<!--[if !supportLists]-->UV Spectrophotometer

<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->Notch Flow unit

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Series-Parallel Pump testing unit

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Centrifugal pump rig

<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->Hydraulic Bench

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Rotary drum evaporator

The department have received TALIF grant for the procurement of Chemistry and Instrumentation laboratory equipment. The procurement process has already started and it is expected that it will result in the establishment of two additional laboratories (i.e. Chemistry and Instrumentation). The close proximity of Kumasi Polytechnic to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology enhances the use of facilities which otherwise lack by the department.

 

STUDENTS

So far the Department has produced about 203 students in the past ten years of establishment. The current student population stands at 128. Of these 50 are in the first year, 49 and 28 in their second and third years respectively.