UGBS Commissions Ultramodern Computer Lab

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has commissioned an ultramodern computer laboratory at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) at a brief ceremony at the UGBS, main campus.

In his welcome address, Prof. Justice Bawole, Dean of UGBS disclosed that, in a bid to churn out a modern workforce that is capable of competing anywhere in the country and on the globe, the School has created a number of initiatives that seek to provide the student with the requisite environment and ambience to achieve the best. One of such initiatives is to equip the students with modern ICT skills. He was elated that in this era of COVID, the project has finally materialized.

The Dean paid glowing tribute to Prof. Richard Boateng, the former HoD, OMIS, who together with his colleagues in the department, conceived the idea and sought sponsorship towards the refurbishment of the undergraduate computer lab. He also expressed immense appreciation to the Proprietor of Rock City Hotel, who graciously accepted to partner the School by providing the needed capital for the project. He disclosed that Rock City had so far invested approximately half a million Ghana Cedis into the project and also donated 35 computers that have currently been installed in the lab. He also acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the College of Humanities for providing the needed support and endorsement for the project.

Prof. Bawole finally recommended that apart from the officer in charge of the facility, Ms. Constance Frimpomaa Domfeh, and the National Service Persons who will be manning the facility, students will also be given the opportunity to work in the lab on part-time basis in order to earn some stipend.

In brief remarks, Prof. Richard Boateng, Chairman of the committee in charge of the project noted that together with the contractors, Siaw Construction, they sought to create a modern design that combines a little bit of European, a little bit of American and a little bit of Ghanaian lab technology. He also disclosed that the idea to modernize the lab actually originated from the Vice-Chancellor who set up a committee about two years ago to see to the modernization of all the labs on campus. He indicated that the 35 computers currently installed would be increased to full capacity of 67 after the eradication of COVID. He added that apart from the 3 LED screens installed inside the lab and the additional screen mounted outside to help project activities within the lab, CCTV cameras have also been installed to monitor activities within and outside lab.

Mrs. Anita Boakye, General Manager of Rock City Hotel, indicated that, as a leading hospitality industry in the country, one of their goals is to put Ghana on the world map. This therefore informed their decision to partner with the premier University in this worthy cause, knowing that ICT has become the order of the day, especially in this era of COVID-19. She expressed appreciation to the University for the opportunity to partner with her on the project and pledged further support of her organization to the University in subsequent projects when they are called upon to do so.

In a brief statement, Prof. Daniel Ofori, Provost, College of Humanities, expressed his delight as an alumnus of the School, a former member of the School’s faculty and also Provost of the College to witness yet another stellar initiative undertaken by UGBS. He advocated for proper care of the facility to ensure longevity for posterity.

Before commissioning the facility, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Management of UGBS for investing in such a worthy cause. He called on other departments to emulate this shining example by investing in such facilities to promote academic work. He further challenged UGBS to put up a more spacious and fully digitized lab with over 100 seating capacity.

Present at the ceremony were members of faculty and staff of UGBS, the Ag. Director of Public Affairs, and members of the media fraternity.