$1 for Higher Education Project

On September 4, 2021, our second group of BSc. Business Information Technology students reported to the Palm Hostel located at EMEFS Estate, Afienya – Mataheko. 

On Monday, September 6, 2021, the Freshmen arrived on campus to begin their orientation. They were formally welcomed by the President of Palm Institute. He spoke to them about the Palm Honor System and Examination Code and its relevance.

He further educated the Freshmen on the Palm Innovation Lab and Entrepreneurship Projects and the Palm Centre for Ethical & Excellent Leadership (PCEL) program.

The Registrar introduced the students to the various Academic Services and also gave them a talk on “Surviving the Challenges of University Life.”  She also went through the rules and regulations for the lecture hall, hostel and shuttle services with the students.

The Career Service Officer also introduced the students to the Career Services Department and its mandate such as provision of Internships, Job-Shadowing, Community Services and Corporate Mentoring opportunities for students.

The Librarian of the University College orientated the students on how to use the library effectively. He discussed the usefulness, purpose and objectives of the library. He also introduced to the students the Library policies students are expected to follow.

The Director for International Programs, addressed the Freshmen on International Students Exchanges and International Internships in USA and UK. She also educated the Freshmen on the Palm Sexual Harassment Policy.

The IT Officer, practically walked the Freshmen through the Online Students Information System (OSIS) Management and the E-Learning platform

As part of the orientation; Wednesday, September 8, 2021 was the Day with the Parents. Parents of the Freshmen arrived from all over the country to be present for the event. They were introduced to the services the University provides for the students and were also told about the expectations the University College has of them as parents who wards are receiving scholarships and education here at Palm.

During the orientation the students were addressed by the Board Chair of NAPE Foundation, USA, a Trustee of the David Okai Okantey (DOO) Foundation, the International Programs Coordinator, Oklahoma State University (OSU), the Ag. Director of Finance, the President of the Palm Student Council and a representative of the Palm Alumni Council.

Freshman Orientation

On 1^st February 2021, we welcomed our first batch of the BSc. Business Information Technology degree students on campus for a three-day orientation. The freshmen were welcomed to the University and were introduced to the various policies, departments and centers of the University. The students were introduced to the International Affairs Office and the potential for International student exchanges with Oklahoma State University (OSU) and international internships in the US and UK with various organizations. 

In the course of the semester the following programs were organized:

Academic Services Virtual Training

On 4^th February, 2021, the Administrative Staff and Faculty of Palm Institute attended a training on Academic Services. The facilitator who was from one of the prominent universities in Ghana encouraged the staff and faculty to engage and build relationships with the Palm students to get to know them and their individual needs, strengths and goals, be accessible, provide support for their concerns and challenges. He shared various advisory approaches to help Palm faculty and staff deal with individual students on campus.  

Palm Mentoring Program

A virtual meeting was held on February 28^th, 2021 to kick start the Palm Corporate Mentoring Program.  The virtual program began with the introduction of the designated mentors to their assigned mentees. Students were encouraged to seek advice and ask questions to learn more about their mentor’s relevance in their lives and also seek to learn from practical business experiences, practices and workplace culture.

Personal Branding and Social Technology Training

A virtual webinar was organized for faculty, staff and students on March 11^th, 2021 on Personal Branding and Social Technology. A resource person from Yamaha Company, Japan led the webinar sharing branding tools and how to manage online platforms.  She shared ways to present a positive image of oneself and how to use social media to enhance yourself professionally. 

Matriculation Ceremony

On March 27^th, 2021, Palm Institute formally introduced the new freshman class. The history of Palm Institute, the services offered to students and the expectations of students throughout their next four years at Palm were shared with students and parents.  The freshmen took the Matriculation Oath to be formally admitted into Palm Institute.  A representative of the students spoke on behalf of all matriculants and expressed their gratitude for being admitted into the University College. After the ceremony, everyone invited enjoyed refreshments and conversation.

End of First Semester Ceremony Get-together

On May 10, 2021, the freshmen of Palm Institute began their end of first semester examination. As the first group of the degree program, the University College hosted a closing ceremony to mark the end of a successful semester. Students had fun to celebrate the end of the semester.

Semester Two-2020/2021 Academic Year

The second semester for the academic year is scheduled to begin on the 5^th June, 2021. Students are to go through their course registration process and begin lectures on the 7^th June, 2021.

After waiting for so long, we are ecstatic to have our freshmen on campus! The moment has finally come!

On February 1^st, 2021, we welcomed our first group of degree students on campus for a three-day orientation. Dr. Peter Carlos Okantey, founder and the president of Palm Institute, commenced the program with a welcome address.  He also shared with the students some of what they can expect at Palm Institute detailing Academic Services which includes the Palm Honor System and Examination Code, Career Services and a community service component of the degree program.  Mr. Ebenezer Pobi, who is a librarian, discussed the usefulness of the library and some of the policies students are expected to follow.  Dr. Okantey shared further about the BSC. Business Information Technology program and it’s relevance, the Sexual Harassment Policy and the process for online course registration.  The last day of orientation included Dr. Okantey discussing International Affairs and the potential for international student exchanges with OSU as well as international internships in the US and UK with various organizations.  Mrs. Benedicta Ashiagbor and Mrs. Beth Okantey shared about the importance and availability of counseling and support at Palm Institute. 

ACADEMIC SERVICES VIRTUAL TRAINING

On February 4^th, the staff, faculty and leadership of Palm Institute attended a training presented by Mr. Emmanuel Ntow from Ashesi University on Academic Services.  The training was designed to equip staff and faculty with providing students exceptional academic advising to guarantee their success throughout the four years at Palm Institute.  He encouraged the staff and faculty to engage and build relationships with the students to get to know them and their individual needs, strengths and goals; be accessible and support and empower them through any concerns or challenges.  Mr. Ntow shared various advisory approaches as well depending on the individual student.  

Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Palm Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, August 3^rd, 2020.

The MoU was signed on behalf of OSU by Dr. Stephan Wilson, Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences, Dr. Randolph Kluver, Associate Provost and Dean School of Global Studies and Partnerships. Dr. Peter Carlos Okantey, President, Palm Institute and Mrs. Beth Okantey, Provost, Palm Institute signed on behalf of Palm Institute.

There were two (2) virtual meetings (first on 14th July, 2020 then 21st July 2020) held between Staff and faculty of Palm Institute and Oklahoma State University with regards to a partnership between the two institutions.

A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) of the Oklahoma State University and Palm Institute. Officials of the CEHS are taking steps to introduce Palm Institute to other Schools and Colleges of the Oklahoma State University to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions.

The MOU will cover areas such as faculty and student exchanges, research and outreach, instruction, pedagogical training for Palm faculty and staff, curriculum and program development, collaborative project implementation and other academic-related activities.

We are thankful to all our donors and supporter.

In June 2015, Palm Institute commenced the journey of formally applying for Institutional Accreditation and Program Accreditation with the National Accreditation Board (NAB). The above credentials were necessary prerequisites to commencing operations as a recognized degree-awarding tertiary institution in Ghana. The program accreditation process required affiliation with a chartered university for mentoring; hence Palm Institute took steps to affiliate with the University of Cape Coast (UCC). A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Palm Institute and UCC to that effect in October 2019.

In May 2020, the National Accreditation Board granted Palm Institute the mandate to operate as an accredited degree-awarding tertiary institution in Ghana to award a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology.

The university-college sits on 57-acres of land with its initial campus building that houses well-furnished lecture halls, administrative offices, a cafeteria, a library and a multi-purpose hall.

The National Accreditation Board (NAB) has granted Institutional and Program Accreditation to Palm Institute to run a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology (BSc. BIT). The BSc. Business Information Technology program places emphasis on hands-on learning and problem-solving skills. The program would equip students with skills to create long-term solutions to Africa’s Information Technology challenges and deploy better-designed infrastructure for local and international needs.

Palm Institute is located in Manya Jorpanya, Shai Hills in the Shai Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.