School of Graduate Studies Holds Orientation Programme For Newly Admitted Graduate Students
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The School of Graduate Studies has recently held an orientation programme for newly admitted graduate students at the Bank of Ghana/Economics Department Auditorium. The programme was attended by almost five hundred newly admitted graduate students.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Professor Kwaku Tano-Debrah, on behalf of Management of the University of Ghana, congratulated the students on their admission to pursue post graduate studies. He indicated that orientation programmes at the University are compulsory and that the programme gives students the opportunity to reduce stress due to the uncertainties ahead, find solutions to challenges they face and provide them with the needed information which would enable them to function effectively in the university. He advised students to abide by the rules and regulations of the University and work diligently to achieve their goals.
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Professor Kwaku Tano-Debrah
The Vice-Dean of the School, Professor Robert Darko Osei took students through regulations governing graduate studies especially issues with regards to registration, processes for extension and deferment of studentship or interruption of study and plagiarism. He urged students to familiarize themselves with the graduate handbook which could be obtained online.
The Vice-Dean of the School, Professor Robert Darko
Dr. Olive Adjah, Head, Electronic Resources of the University of Ghana Library System, informed students about the library services available for Graduate Students. She noted that the Research Commons, 24 Hour Reading Room, electronic data bases, e-books, the institutional repository and the IAC Computer Laboratory were all available to graduate students.
Dr. Olive Adjah, Head, Electronic Resources of the University of Ghana Library System
Mr. Vincent Acheampong, a System Analyst at the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS), touched on the need for students to register properly in order to be recognized as members of the university community. He indicated that proper registration also helps the University plan the provision of resources for students. He urged students to meet registration deadlines, and further outlined the consequences of non-registration. He also took students through the registration procedures, activation of emails, use of the MIS web and the acquisition of identity cards.
Mr. Vincent Acheampong, a System Analyst at the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS)
Mr. Samuel Osei Mensah, Student Accountant touched on the importance of students keeping records of their financial payments and monitoring their statements on the MIS web. He indicated that sixty percent of fees should be paid before registration and arrears paid anytime within the year. He provided the modes of payment and as well, the names of banks where fees could be paid. He urged students to adopt a payment plan to ensure that fees are paid promptly.
Mr. Samuel Osei Mensah, Student Accountant
Ms Helena Baidoo, leader of the Ethical Team at the Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) discussed the importance of adhering to ethics in research. This required that students seek ethical clearance before starting their research work. She took them through the processes for obtaining ethical clearance, importance of accountability to the public, building public support for research work, developing norms of conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior and help people to trust the quality and integrity of research work.
Ms Helena Baidoo, leader of the Ethical Team at the Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID)
The Head of the Students’ Financial Aid Office, Mrs. Christine Baning gave a presentation on Financial Aid available to students. She highlighted the various forms/types of financial aid available and added that monies put together to support or assist students are raised from various sources. She touched on the need for graduate students to help the Students’ Financial Aid Office to raise additional funds to support needy students.
Mrs. Christine Baning, the Head of the Students’ Financial Aid Office
Professor Dan Ofori, Director, Academic Quality Assurance Unit, gave a presentation titled, “The Course and Lecturer Evaluation Process as a Quality Assurance (QA) Tool.” Introducing the QA concept in relation to the University of Ghana, Prof. Ofori said QA interventions allow UG to interrogate its academic standards and ensure that quality specifications are being met across the board. Prof. Ofori further stated that, the QA processes seek to interrogate students’ experiences and expectations within the UG Production Chain. He indicated that students have an important role to play in these processes because, ultimately, the QA function helps to track and monitor the key actions that need to be executed for the university to achieve its mission. The QA system is therefore an assessment and evaluation mechanism that ensures that set objectives are achieved. Prof. Ofori noted that the Course and Lecturer Evaluation (CLE) process is one of the Quality Assurance (QA) tools in use at UG. Touching on the CLE, he explained the nature, form, purpose, processes and directions for evaluating Courses and Lecturers at the university. In concluding, Prof. Dan Ofori reiterated students’ role in the CLE process as well as what is expected of both students and their leaders (GRASSAG/SRC) in the QA process.
Professor Daniel Ofori, Director, Academic Quality Assurance Unit