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Article Title:
An Examination of the Program Mix at Technical Universities of Ghana: The Application of the Boston Consulting Group Matrix
by Dr. Solomon A. Keelson

Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to justify the significance of ?Non-technical programs at the Technical Universities in Ghana despite it not being mandated program, using Boston Consulting Group Matrix. This study is significance because it contributes to the debate on whether Technical Universities should limit their programs mix to only technical and vocation or it should include other non-technical programs. The current study uses the various core programs as well as other necessary programs which must be offered by Technical Universities and classified them as strategic business units to determine the necessity of other necessary programs that the Technical University could develop and offer. The study used secondary data of 2012/2013 academic year enrollment of students into tertiary programs in Ghana to support empirical theory. Ten managers of public and private universities and selected polytechnics were conveniently sampled and interviewed to ascertain primary reasons for developing and offering programs in both mandated and non mandated areas. The study showed that the Technical University like any other tertiary institution in Ghana will need other non-technical programs in addition to their mandated technical programs to sustain technical education in an economy like Ghana where tertiary education funding is a shared responsibility. Business Programs for example are found to be cash cows, which are necessary to financially sustain Technical University education in Ghana. The results should inform managers and policy makers of tertiary education in Ghana on practical and policy implication of offering other non-technical programs in the Technical Universities.

Keywords: business programs, boston consulting group matrix, market growth rate, and relative market share

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