All over the world, there has been a significant increase in the number of students pursuing doctoral studies and University of Ghana is no exception. As part of efforts to create an enabling environment to facilitate doctoral training in the University, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has cut sod for the first phase of a 60-unit apartment for PhD students.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, Prof. Amfo, applauded the efforts of all individuals and institutions who invested time and efforts to ensure the project becomes a reality. She stated that increasing the stock of residential facilities for PhD students served as an incentive to attract more doctoral students. “This is the first phase. It is my expectation that in subsequent phases, we will make provision for childcare and other gender-based amenities which will fit the needs of the 21st century PhD student”, Prof. Amfo said.
Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, BANGA-2 Project Lead, in her remarks recounted her experience as the Dean of the then School of Research and Graduate Studies where she identified three significant issues confronting PhD students after holding a consultative meeting with them. She enumerated efforts in establishing a scholarship scheme and thesis completion grants and the construction of a doctoral building for PhD students as the solution to the first two major problems characterising graduate studies when she was Dean.
Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu delivering an address
Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu noted with joy the delight of the realisation of embarking on solving the third problem which was identified over a decade ago - the construction of the PhD apartments. “In my opinion, PhD students are the engines for university research. They are enthusiastic, very energetic and full of ideas; our responsibility as a University is to harness this energy… I believe the University of Ghana is in a unique position to become the hub of doctoral training in the country”, Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu opined. She expressed hope that the project is completed as scheduled.
Earlier in a welcome address, Dr. Jemima Anderson, Director, Pan African Doctoral Academy, expressed excitement about the project. She linked the construction of the PhD apartments to the University’s objective of creating a competitive higher quality PhD training in Ghana and the West-African sub-region. This, she noted, will encourage potential PhD students to stay and complete their doctoral studies in the University of Ghana.
Prof. Robert Darko Osei, Dean, School of Graduate Studies (SGS) in brief remarks, highlighted the desire to improve students experiences especially in solving the accommodation deficit of graduate students. He described the project as a ‘relief’.
Assurances were given by the Director of Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), Mr. Charles Kofinti and the contractors to complete the first phase of the project between 14-18 months.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, a delegation from Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG)-Legon, led by their President, Ms. Christiana Adu, were assisted by Prof. Dorcas Osei-Safo, Vice-Dean, SGS, to present a citation to Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu for her immense contribution to the enhancement of graduate studies in the University of Ghana.
The delegation from GRASAG-LEGON after presenting the citation to Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu
The PhD apartments to be constructed will comprise 240 units. The first phase will be made up of three floors, housing 60 ensuite bedrooms (20 rooms on each floor), an office for the manager, a Porters’ Lodge and a reading room.
Other senior officials present at this ceremony were Prof. Olivia A. T. F. Kwapong, Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education; Prof. Clement Appah, Head, Department of Linguistics; Mr. Daniel O. Baidoo, Director, Human Resource and Organisational Development Directorate and Mrs. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director, Public Affairs Directorate.
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