The University of Professional Studies (UPS), formerly known as the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) on Wednesday inducted Professor Joshua Alabi as its first Vice Chancellor in Accra.
Prof Alabi, until his induction had served the university for 25 years as a lecturer, the Dean of Faculty of Management, Pro-Rector and as Rector for four years.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Justice Nii Aryeetey, Chairman, UPS Governing Council, expressed his appreciation to the University Governing Council for its decision to convert the Institute into a fully fledged university.
He also commended past directors and rectors for their support towards the growth of the school, which is considered as one of the best in the country.
"Each of the six directors and rectors constructed a new block all aimed at improving infrastructural situation at the school," he said.
He praised Prof Alabi for his rich experience in both national and international politics as well as his deep knowledge in football administration.
"Prof Alabi has a rich history as far as the management of the senior national team is concerned, and also served as a Member of Parliament for Krowor…as well as a Regional Minister for both the Northern and Greater Accra Regions."
He cited the establishment of the University's Quality Assurance Unit, the Public Affairs Directorate, improvement in research activities and the change of the school's name as some of the achievements of Prof Alabi.
"Others include the establishment of an Information Communication Technology infrastructure, enhancement of library services and as well as the attainment of a Presidential Charter for the University," he added.
In his acceptance speech, Prof Alabi, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by the University Council and called for support.
He said despite the fact that the school was touted as one of the best business schools in the country it had for years battled with its identity.
"The school did not have an identity as we could neither call it a polytechnic nor a university thereby making it difficult for us to know what was in a name," he added.
He said the UPS Council had reviewed the curriculum of the school in an effort to give it a proper position as far as education in Africa is concerned.
He added that the Council had put in place measures to embark on more infrastructural development for effective academic work.
Prof Alabi praised UPS for the successes it had attained since its inception in 1965 by its first Director Nana Opoku Ampomah.
"We started as an Institute, and now we are a university, very soon we would start churning out PHD holders lecturing and heading other institutions in the country."
Prof Alabi who is also an alumnus of UPS was born on March 1st, 1958 at Nungua in the Greater Accra Region, and hold holds Master Degrees in Industrial Economics and International Marketing from the Russian Economic University in Moscow and the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.
He has several publications in the areas of Political Marketing, Marketing of Infant Foods and Microfinance and serves on various boards including the Chairman of the Governing Council of Accra Polytechnic as well as Ghana Book Development Council.