The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) has presented 75 laptops to some 75 graduate students enrolled in the College of Health Sciences and the Department of Psychology.
This remarkable initiative was in commemoration of the University’s 75th Anniversary and to support the Vice-Chancellor’s One Student, One Laptop (1S1L) initiative.
The presentation of the laptops by the Centre was dubbed, 75 for UG@75.
At the presentation ceremony held at the Centre, the Director of WAGMC, Prof. Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, indicated that, “the initiative was geared towards promoting quality education through strategic means by equipping students with the necessary tools for enhanced learning experiences.”
He mentioned that the 75 students selected for the laptop award came through an innovation of WAGMC. “Last semester WAGMC did a back-to-school fair in collaboration with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Korle-Bu, where we gave students freebies to encourage them in this back-to-school atmosphere and also launched a sign-up for a free laptop during the fair”, he stated.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah disclosed that students were tasked to write an essay on the topic, “Discuss the Challenges of Mandatory Laptop Usage in the Classroom and its Impacts on Students and Outcomes in Ghana”, for which a committee was set up to review the essays.
“45 students were selected after the review by the committee but in a conversation with the Vice-Chancellor, I realized that UG is celebrating its 75th anniversary so WAGMC decided to give 75 laptops to graduate students to support the University’s 75th anniversary celebration” he added.
Director of WAGMC, Prof. Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba A. Amfo, who received the laptops, presented them to the students on behalf of the Centre. She commended WAGMC for their valuable contribution to the 1S1L initiative by awarding laptops to deserving graduate students. She expressed pride in the innovative work of the Centre, which she noted aligns with the University's vision and mission.
Prof. Amfo highlighted the importance of graduate students in achieving the University's goal of becoming a research-intensive institution. The 1S1L initiative, she explained, was put in place to ensure students have access to laptops and improve their technological skills, a critical aspect in today's world, regardless of their disciplines.
She applauded the students for their punctuality and eagerness, encouraging them to maintain such good values in all their endeavors. Prof. Amfo stressed the importance of taking an interest in University programmes, beyond their departments or units. She also urged them to encourage their friends, parents, and institutions to support the 1S1L initiative.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba A. Amfo
Prof. Peter Quartey, Chair of the 1S1L Committee, on his part gave a background of the Vice-Chancellor's vision to digitally transform the UG student experience. He explained that, “the 'One Student, One Laptop' Initiative” aims to provide affordable computers for students and staff, as well as free laptops for needy students, to assist them in fully adapting to changes in education delivery and learning, while also having access to the resources needed to facilitate effective teaching, learning, and research.”
While encouraging more individuals to join to support the initiative, Prof. Quartey thanked the Vice-Chancellor, donors, and all those who have supported the initiative so far.
The 1S1L Committee Chair lauded Prof. Ofori-Acquah and his team for their generous contribution, expressing confidence that it would bolster student learning and research. He encouraged students to use the opportunity wisely and refrain from misusing the provided laptops.
The brief presentation ceremony was attended by Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar of the University; Prof. Joseph Osafo, Head, Department of Psychology; Prof. George Owusu, Dean, School of Social Sciences; Prof. Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Dean, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences; Prof. Edwin Yawson, Dean, University of Ghana Medical School and Mrs. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director, Public Affairs Directorate.
Others were Members of the ‘1 Student 1 Laptop’ Committee, some Representatives and Heads of Department as well as staff and students of the College of Health Sciences and the Department of Psychology.
