The University of Mines and Technology (UMAT)

University of Mines and Technology

INTRODUCTION

The University of Mines and Technlogy (UMAT) which used to be called the KNUST School of Mines, then the Western University College of KNUST. Tarkwa and affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has now become autonomous under the above new name, since 2005/06 academic year.The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) started as the Tarkwa Technical Institute (TTI) on 3rd November, 1952 but was officially commissioned by the Government of Ghana, more precisely by His Excellency the Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke, on 7th October, 1953. In 1961, the Government, upon the advocacy of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, redefined the mission of TTI to incorporate the training of mining technicians and other middle level manpower for the country’s mining and related industries. 

In 1961, it was reorganized to become the Tarkwa School of Mines (TSM) to train the required manpower for the mining and allied industries in Ghana. In 1976, the Government took cognizance of the capability of TSM and its strategic location, Tarkwa, which is at the centre of mining activities in the country. As this location gave TSM a special strength for mining education, TSM was affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as a faculty of the University so as to enable TSM offer degree, diploma and certificate programmes in mining and related fields. 

The name TSM was changed to KNUST School of Mines (KNUSTSM), Tarkwa. The KNUSTSM, Tarkwa and the Kumasi School of Mines were put together to become the Institute of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IMME).

In 1988, a University Rationalization Committee (URC), commissioned by the Ministry of Education, recommended the development of the School and its conversion into a University. In 2000, the conversion of KNUSTSM into a University was again strongly recommended by Louis Berger Inc. in association with Kwame Asante and Associates in a report on partial commercialization of KNUST.

In 2001, the Council of KNUST considered and approved proposals and recommendations of the Academic Board to merge the School of Mines at Kumasi and the School of Mines at Tarkwa into the Western University College of KNUST, Tarkwa.

On 3rd November, 2004, at exactly 11.35hrs GMT, the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana passed the bill on the University of Mines and Technology into an Act of Parliament. On 11th November, 2004, the President of Ghana gave the Presidential Assent and on 12th November, 2004 the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa Act 2004 (Act 677) was gazetted and thus, became a law.

Vision and Mission Statements

Vision

The vision of the University is to become a Centre of Excellence in Ghana and Africa for producing world-class professionals in the fields of mining, technology and related disciplines.

Mission

The mission of the University is to:

Provide higher education with special reference to mining and related fields;

Promote knowledge through active research; and

Provide professional services to the national and international communities. 

Guiding Philosophy

The philosophy of UMaT is to guide students to develop their intellectual capabilities and appreciate good social and moral values. The major aim is to produce world-class graduates capable of providing useful professional services.

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