Management of the University of Ghana recently hosted a delegation from OmniBSIC Bank to discuss enhancing their existing partnership with the University, with a particular focus on the construction of the fifth Hotspot Comfort Zone facility.
Chairing the meeting on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancelor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare, extended the regards of the Vice-Chancellor to the delegation and welcomed them to the University.
Prof. Awandare underscored the significance of technology in modern education and highlighted the University's three-pronged approach championed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo. “Based on the era that we live in, technology is central to creating the student experience, hence the Vice-Chancellor had worked with other members of management to roll out the three-pronged initiatives which are the Hotspot Comfort Zone, Classroom Modernisation and One Student One Laptop Initiative.”
He noted that the initiatives have indeed been enhancing the student experience, and the results of these efforts have been reflected in the feedback from lecturers and students.
Importantly, Prof. Awandare stressed that UG views OmniBSIC Bank's involvement not merely as a donation but as a genuine partnership. He indicated that the University of Ghana has one of the strongest brands among tertiary institutions in West Africa. “We are leveraging on that brand to form partnerships with corporate institutions with the mutual multi-purpose of gaining assistance as well promoting the brands of businesses”, the Pro Vice-Chancellor stated.
In response, Mr. Philip Oti-Mensah, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of OmniBSIC Bank and a UG alumnus, expressed his delight at returning to his alma mater. He provided background information on OmniBSIC Bank, formed through the merger of OmniBank and Sahel-Sahara Bank, following regulatory directives to consolidate the banking sector.
Mr. Philip Oti-Mensah affirmed that the University of Ghana was one of the stakeholders that the bank was poised to build a long-term relationship with, and they intend to launch this collaboration by sponsoring the construction of a Hotspot Comfort Zone facility.
He highlighted the bank's readiness to support students and mentioned a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy students that had been instituted by the Bank. “This scheme has already awarded scholarships to students who needed financial assistance to access tertiary education,” he mentioned.
The COO of the Bank reaffirmed the bank's strong commitment to supporting and contributing to other initiatives by the University in the future.
The Director of the Office of Institutional Advancement, Prof. Kwesi Darteh-Baah, stated that UG management was pleased to welcome OmniBSIC Bank, considering their ongoing efforts to collaborate with alumni and corporate institutions in support of the University's initiatives.
He noted that some team members from the Bank, along with his team, had already conducted a site visit to where the facility is planned to be built. “We have held discussions with PDMSD on potential sites, which demonstrates the Bank's readiness to collaborate on the project.”
Prof. Darteh-Baah indicated that the University's aspirations align with the Vice-Chancellor's vision of creating an environment where students can have exceptional experiences while on campus.
In his assessment of OmniBSIC Bank, Prof. Kwesi Darteh-Baah noted that the Bank is highly innovative, technologically driven and socially responsible in contributing to society. He pointed out that the Bank's actions demonstrate its commitment to being a good corporate citizen, which is a hallmark of a corporate institution willing to give back to society.
In closing, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the Registrar, expressed UG's happiness with the partnership and anticipation the successful construction of the Hotspot Comfort Zone facility and its commissioning when completed.
The meeting was moderated by Dr. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director of the Public Affairs Directorate. Among the attendees were Ms. Anne Marie Appiah, Group Head of Corporate Banking at OmniBSIC Bank; Charles Twum Antwi, Head of Public Sector at OmniBSIC Bank; Ms. Joy Lamptey, Assistant Registrar and Mr. Richard Karikari, Fundraising Officer, both at the Office of Institutional Advancement.
