Accra Technical University marks 2nd Library Week

The Accra Technical University has marked its second library week with a fashion show and exhibition to create an awareness of the importance of the industry and libraries.

The Library Week initiative seeks to enhance students' academic experience by fostering a culture of lifelong learning through various interactive platforms and creative expressions.

In collaboration with the Fashion Design and Textiles Department of the Applied Arts Faculty of the technical university, the organisers put together an exhibition of some of the works of students, an anchor entrepreneur and some works of the School of Ordinance of the Ghana Armed Forces which is affiliated to the Accra Technical University.

The fashion covered dresses of various designs, crochet woven apparels and footwear and clothes by the School of Ordinance and the theme for the week was "Connect, Discover and Thrive: Enhancing Faculty and Student Experiences for Lifelong Learning".

As part of the celebrations, the library organised creative and fun activities aimed at talent discovery.

The Creative Arts Fun-day, organised in collaboration with the Faculty of Fashion Design, also featured spoken word performances and competitions in crocheting, draping and painting aside from the exhibition to showcase students talents.

Prizes were awarded to motivate participation in the initiative. 

The first-place winner received a fully covered tuition fee for the academic year, while the second-place winner received on-campus accommodation for the next academic year.

The prizes were to boost interest of participants and students at large and motivate engagement in the competition and library celebrations as a whole.

The library week celebration which was first marked last year is an initiative of the school's library directorate to sensitise students and the public at large to the presence and importance of the library and its related resources and services.

The library

The Head of Library, Dr Florence Plokey, addressing participants at the opening of the exhibition and competition, said many students did not visit the library or made use of its resources, hence they did not realise its benefits.

"So, we taught them what we do, the benefits of coming to the library and that's why this year's theme is solely concentrated on the students for them to connect, discover and thrive beyond the four walls of the university," she said.

Movers, shakers of life

The Head of Department, Fashion, Design and Textiles, Dr Emma Donkor, touched on the importance of both the library and fashion departments, encouraging students to participate in the activities and show their support for their participating mates.

"The fashion department is the mover and shaker of life. Today we're here to see how talented the students in the department are, they're here to showcase their skills in painting, crocheting and draping. So, let's watch and support them as they perform," she said.

The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts, Dr Francis Korshie Amenakpor, encouraged contestants to do their best to show that they were both skillful and knowledgeable in their disciplines, while encouraging students in the audience to make use of the library ,” he stated

Activities

Series of activities for the week included a meeting between students and faculty representatives of the library, discussions on television and radio, webinars, a Creative Arts Fun-day and a panel discussion focused on research involving faculty supervisors and students.