The University Teachers Association of Ghana, UCC Chapter (UTAG-UCC) has organised debate for candidates contesting for the position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The election is to be conducted on campus on Thursday December 3, 2015.
The debate, on the theme, “Creating a Deliberative Platform for Quality Leadership” gave the candidates opportunity to share their vision with the association and also indicate how they would address some pertinent issues affecting the University Community.
Explaining the rationale behind the debate, the President of (UTAG-UCC), Prof. Osei Kwarteng noted that the platform was to raise the bar and focus the campaign on crucial issues which affect the work and lives of members of the University Community. He expressed the hope that the debate would help sharpen the ideas and seek ways to find solutions to move UCC forward.
He recalled that the association used to organise the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Debate in the seventies and early eighties but became moribund due to the crisis which plagued the University in 1987. He indicated that the association thought it wise to reactivate this laudable convention in order to offer both the candidates and the electorates an opportunity to interact and make an informed decision prior to the election.
The Provost of the College of Distance Education, Prof. George K. T. Oduro who spoke at the debate pointed out that his vision was to create a conducive atmosphere that would promote the welfare of members of the University Community. He pledged to operate on the principles of objectivity and fairness. He also assured the academic staff that he would lobby with management and the academic board to consider policies that would address the issue of Assistant Lecturers being promoted on the basis of the acquisition of terminal degress when he is elected as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. He also pointed out that his track record puts him a position to deliver up to the expectation of senior members as well as the University Community.
On her part, the Director of the Centre for International Education, Prof. Rosemond Boohene noted that she has acquired rich experience as Head of Department and Vice-Dean of the School of Business as well as the Director of the Centre for International Education. She also indicated that her effort led to the creation of the School of Business Incubator which is one of the few in Africa and also introduced the University wide programme in Entrepreneurship for all level 300 students. She promised to give more attention to entrepreneurship opportunities for the University and also strengthen the research capacity of staff in the University.
Sharing her vision at the function, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh said she would work towards creating a strong financial and administrative management for the University with emphasis on equity, career progression, scholarship, promoting research, fairness and transparency. She promised to ensure that every staff has a copy of the conditions of service to enable them claim whatever is due them and further help to create opportunities for professional development for academic staff. She said these could be achieved through creating a fund for scholarship and relating well to the private sector.
The candidates had the opportunity to answer questions from the moderators and the audience during the question and answer sessions.
The Director of the Centre for Gender Research and Documentation (CEGRAD), Prof. Akua Britwum chaired the debate.
Source: ucc.edu.gh
