- Re-echoing Appeals of Private Universities for Urgent Interventions –
CSUC has conducted its 45th Graduation Ceremony with a call on Government to
intervene in the numerous challenges of Private Universities including charter
application, regulatory requirements and low-students-ratio of the admission-market
share.
President of the University College, Prof. Sam Afrane, made this call cogently that
“private universities are an important component of our national educational asset.
However, we face several challenges relating particularly to the regulatory environment
within which we operate, and these challenges affect our growth and ability to contribute
effectively to the delivery of tertiary education in Ghana. The leadership of the Private
Universities Association has brought some of these issues to the attention of the
Honourable Minister of Education and we are very grateful for his kind assurance to
address these concerns.”
The ceremony which was under the theme, “The Future of Tertiary Education in
Ghana: The Place of Private Universities” was held to confer awards on a total of 479
students comprising 108 postgraduates; 350 undergraduates; and 21 certificate students
from the Faculty of Humanities, School of Business and the Faculty of Health and
Applied Sciences.
In his response to the challenges of educational and manpower needs of society, Prof
Afrane noted that the institution looks forward to increasing its number of postgraduate
programmes with accreditation processes far advanced for the introduction of MPhil in
Mathematics Education, MPhil in English Education and MPhil/MA in Communication.
Touching on the institution’s human resource situation, the President indicated significant
improvements in the year under review. “The current Faculty situation is the best since
the institution started over 40 years ago with 16 PHD holders and 12 others currently
pursuing doctoral studies in varied disciplines.” He again noted that, Management is
exploring all means to secure further training opportunities for both academic and
administrative staff as part of the Quality Improvement Programme (QIP).
During the year, a high-powered Research Committee was constituted under the Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research, to formulate new policies and plans to invigorate
research activities in the University College. Also, an ICT Board has been constituted to
review the ICT policies and propose new interventions to revamp IT infrastructure and
further enhance their effective utilization in teaching, learning and management of the institution.
These are meant to reposition the university as a private Christian university
in Africa with a commitment to innovation and excellence, including e-learning.
On his part, the Education Minister and Guest Speaker for the occasion, Hon. Dr. Yaw
Osei Adutwum acknowledged the considerable role played by private tertiary institutions
amidst the challenges they face. He commended CSUC for the quality of persons trained
by the institution, some of whom occupy positions in Government, academia, churches,
industry and business.
He cited the likes of Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, the immediate past Presiding
Bishop of the Methodist Church who is also the immediate past Chairman of the National
Peace Council; Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y. Mante, the current Moderator of the Presbyterian
Church of Ghana; Hon. Kennedy Kankam, Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore
Mampong and former Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso and Mrs. Casandra Ampofo,
the Public Relations Officer for Ghana Education Service, Accra.
Dr Adutwum acknowledged that his Ministry has taken note of the progress made by
CSUC to receive the Presidential Charter in order to be autonomous and assured,
“Government is going to give the necessary support to enable this University College
obtain its charter.”
He also congratulated the graduands and called on them to use their acquired skills to
transform society, charging them to work hard to carry out their duties without
compromising on quality and excellence.
During his turn, the CSUC Council Chairman, Mr. Seth Osafo, underscored the vital role
private universities play in national development and re-echoed the plea for Government
support. He took the opportunity to appeal to the Government to come out with a policy
on admission quota for government universities in order to help private universities
increase their enrolment.
Mr. Osafo also thanked the faculty and non-teaching staff of the College for their hard
work and tremendous job done through teaching, research and supervision of students,
despite the challenges they are currently facing. He congratulated the graduands and
charged them to remain focused and build on what they have attained from the University
College.
The overall best graduating student, Mr Francis Owusu of the Department of Planning
and Development in his valedictory speech expressed gratitude for the training
environment at CSUC that contributes to the immense development of students.
