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| | VC Tours Regional Centres And Meets With Alumni |    | | |  As part of his tour to the regional centres of the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education, to familiarise himself with the work of these Centres, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, is also using this as an opportunity to interact with alumni.
The first of such tours took him to the Volta region. The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Director of the ICDE, Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, Mrs. Alexina Arthur, Member, Alumni Council, the Ag. Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, and Mr. Daniel Baidoo, Administrative Secretary at the ICDE.
The Vice-Chancellor first called on the Deputy Regional Minister at his office where the two discussed issues of mutual interest. The discussions centred on the university’s programmes, and ways in which the University can assist the development of a University for the Volta region. Other issues that came up included the encroachment of part of the University’s land which he assured the Vice-Chancellor of looking into the matter.
 The Vice-Chancellor who also met with the staff of the ICDE said it was important for the Centre to be visible in the region. He urged the staff to ensure that they maintained a continuous link with the headquarters and explore ways of becoming relevant to the community in which they had a presence. He later was conducted round the Institute’s Centre at Tsito where he met participants attending one of the Centre’s workshops.
Prof. Aryeetey later met with alumni during which he reiterated his vision of making the University a world-class university. He touched on strengthening academic structures and providing improved facilities, enhancing and transforming residential facilities, introducing security measures aimed at making the campuses of the university safe, and creating a link with alumni that would enable alumni feel a part of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor called on alumni to be supportive of the new changes that were taking place in the University since they would ultimately result in brighter prospects for the University. He noted that in implementing these new changes, there are bound to be challenges but was hopeful that the changes would best for students of the University be in the long run. The Vice-Chancellor mentioned that various academic facilities had been put up, such as the Central Science Labs, the on-going E-learning platform of the Distance Education, among others. He also touched on the revised academic programmes and new policies, such as the 4 year undergraduate programme which meant assessing undergraduates from Level 100, and the cancellation of the Mature Students’ Entry Examinations.
On residential facilities, he singled out the decongestion exercise which he urged alumni not to see it as a form of punishment, but a policy meant to a better way of living for students, which would ensure that students do not live in overcrowded rooms, and would be able to study in an environment that promotes learning. He said, the overcrowding in the halls of residence has resulted in serious structural defects likely to cause accidents if this is left unchecked. The Vice-Chancellor said that he was concerned about the health and safety of students, hence his reason for calling for and implementing the decongestion exercise. He mentioned that the residential facilities would be renovated to make them safer and conducive for learning and towards this, the University was spending a considerable amount of money as he considered this a priority.
On security issues, the Vice-Chancellor said he was looking forward to a time when students would be able to access academic and facilities electronically, for example, by swiping their student identity cards to machines that would give them easy access to facilities. He said this would greatly reduce criminal activities on campus as only those who are authorized to access a particular facility would be able to do so.
Prof. Aryeetey dwelt at length on the Alumni Home-Coming programme slated from 14-20 November this year. He said this special programme is being put up as a grand reunion and as a major fund-raising drive. The Vice-Chancellor said that the various stakeholders of the University would be involved in this programme, as well as all units of the University. He said there would be an Open Day during which the faculties would have the opportunity to showcase their outputs, the various research they are involved in, new programmes, etc.
He argued that it is through such a platform that would allow alumni to foster a relationship with their departments, so that they would be able to offer support in ways that they can, while finding out what areas departments of the university can also support the work that they do, i.e. through research and engagement. He urged alumni to keep the dates open so that they can reconnect with their alma mater during this time.
The Vice-Chancellor said a major International Donors Conference was being planned to take place during this period, at which some major donor agencies would be invited, to raise funds for the University. He called on alumni to consider contributing individually and also to seek support from their various organisations to further the work of the University.
There were various responses from alumni. Speaker after speaker acknowledged the good work the Vice-Chancellor had already started doing, since he assumed office almost a year ago. They said that the Vice-Chancellor’s visit had not only brought his vision closer to them, but had also afforded them the opportunity to interact with him directly, something that was rare. They assured the Vice-Chancellor of carrying his message across meaningfully having now fully understood his vision.
Other areas of concern centred on the fee structure for the 2011/2011 which was said to have been delayed. In response, the Vice-Chancellor said that there was a planned meeting with the National Council on Tertiary Education, which is the body mandated to negotiate fees with public tertiary education. He assured alumni that as soon as this was known, it would be communicated to students and the general public.
The Vice-Chancellor is expected to visit Cape Coast, Takoradi, Koforidua, Kumasi, Sunyani as well as the northern region where he will visit Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa. | | | | Date Published: 12/07/2011 | | | |   |
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