According to him, the increasing number of students require a commensurate increase in staff numbers and that over the period, 38 temporary senior member teaching staff were appointed to fill vacant positions as a result of retirement, resignations and vacation of posts at the four campuses of the university.

He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the government for giving financial clearance through the Ministry of Finance for new staff to be employed.

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Congregation

Professor Afful-Broni, who is also the Pro Vice Chancellor of the university, announced this while addressing the first session of the 22nd congregation to confer degrees, diplomas and certificates to students of the Faculty of Educational Studies recently.

He noted that considering the high rate of student intake, more teaching and non-teaching staff were required to enable the university to effectively and efficiently deliver.

He also stressed that “we trust that the Minister of Education and other stakeholders will remain even more supportive for the UEW to positively impact on education delivery in the country.”

A total of 1,158, made up of 777 with bachelor’s degrees, 327 with diplomas and 54 with certificates, graduated from the Faculty of Educational Studies.

Staff development

Prof. Afful-Broni stated that in furtherance to the university’s staff development drive, a number of senior members had been sponsored to undertake further studies.

He pointed out that in line with the UEW’s staff development plan, as indicated in the 2014-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan, the university granted study leave with pay to 43 members of staff to pursue doctoral, master’s and other programmes in various disciplines.

According to him, out of this number, 24 are pursuing PhD, nine master’s, seven bachelor’s degree and three diploma programmes.

He also indicated that “it is expected that capacities developed through the programmes will contribute greatly to propelling the UEW in its journey into total excellence.”

New institutes

The acting vice chancellor indicated that desirous of staying ahead of its competitors, the UEW continued to pursue a proactive administrative system to meet the changing needs and he mentioned that two institutes had been created out of the hitherto Institute of Educational Development and Extension (IEDE).

They are the Institute for Distance and e-learning and the Institute for Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development (ITECPD) to improve and expand the provision of distance education services, as well as teacher professional development at the university and beyond.

He charged the graduates to make meaningful contributions to the country’s development agenda, noting that “you are future leaders in the varied important fields for our nation’s holistic development and progress.”

Developments at the university

In his address, the Chairman of the UEW Governing Council, Professor Emmanuel N. Abakah, said the recent press release by the council for six officers of the university to step aside was purely in respect of the ongoing investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) and the council’s fact finding committee.

He, therefore, appealed to members of staff, students, stakeholders, the media and the general public to exercise restraint, circumspection and honesty when expressing opinions on the issue within the framework of their democratic right.

“The Governing Council will do everything within its power to protect the assets and funds of the university,” he added.