BACKGROUND
The International Programmes and External Linkages Office (IPELO) of Takoradi Technical University (TTU) is an office established to ensure that the institution’s external mission is realized. In this regard, the office has been facilitating national and international collaborations and developing partnerships with both local and foreign private and public institutions and organizations.

GOAL
Among the goals of IPELO is to establish, coordinate and maintain both local and international relationships to ensure that Takoradi Technical University achieves its mission of encouraging international education and local collaboration by developing a variety of educational opportunities for students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

In accordance with the goals of IPELO, the office has been able to establish relationships with some institutions around the world. Facilitation by IPELO has resulted in Takoradi Technical University signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with some institutions and organisations:

Collaboration with DUT to run PhD and Masters Programmes for staff of TTU
Takoradi Technical University has signed an MOU with Durban University of Technology in South Africa to run PhD and masters Proogrammes for TTU staff. In all 44 staff have enrolled on PhD programmes in the Business field. Processes are underway to enroll staff in the Applied Arts and ICT fields.

Tenancy agreement between TTU and Amalitech
The Office has facilitated the signing of a Tenancy Agreement with Amalitech. In this agreement, Amalitech is to make a two years advance payment for a 400 M2 space in the new TTU Annan block. The Project is to train and absorb young Ghanaian graduates into IT jobs

Erasmus Exchange Programmes
TTU won an Erasmus staff/student mobility project with universities in Germany and Hungary in 2019. Accordingly, four (4) students travelled to Germany and Hungary for the Erasmus exchange programmes in February, 2020. Two of the students who went to Germany have completed the progrmmes and returned to Ghana. The Lecturers are yet to embark on the project due to the COVID 19 outbreak. Another new Erasmus mobility project for 2021/2022 academic year has also been won with Germany. This project will enable more students and staff in the energy sector to travel to Germany for an exchange programme. Preparations are still ongoing to make the project a success

Renewable energy partnership between TTU, CcTU and KoTU
Following the partnership between Ghana government and Germany government to assemble VW cars in Ghana, there has been the need to have train people who can service the renewable energy sector. This Renewable partnership with Cape Coast Technical University, Koforidua Technical University and TTU is to prepare and train individuals to meet this market need in the very near future.

Siemens, GIZ, Industry and TTU Partnership
The aim of this partnership is to train students, staff and individuals from industries using Siemen’s equipment and technology in various catchment areas.

Green I Solar Energy PTY, German Solar Energy Society DGS and TTU Partnership
TTU is in the process of signing an MOU with the above-mentioned companies to provide the framework for the establishment of an effective relationship for mutually beneficial. The focus is on the set up of a Solar Training Center at Takoradi Technical University.

International students
IPLEO has facilitated the admission of international students into TTU. Currently, there are eleven international students in TTU. For the 2020/2021 academic year, the office has registered four international students.

Visitations
IPELO had received many dignitaries and personalities over the period. These visits are mainly to explore possible collaborations and partnerships with TTU. The following are some of the dignitaries who paid visits to TTU.
• Indian High Commissioner to Ghana
• GIZ Representatives