Open University and UCC Explore Areas for Collaboration

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) has held discussions with the Open University of United Kingdom, to find potential areas of collaborations.

The discussion will also pave way for the two Universities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Again, the partnership, will design an innovative approach to strengthen school leadership for systematic change across Ghana.

The project will examine school leadership preparation, induction, and continuous professional development (CPD) across the existing educational structure. It will research the role and impact of leaders and the contribution of strong school leadership to strenghtening capacity in educational provision and learning attainment. The focus of the project will be on school leadership for learning - championing every child’s learning of foundational skills, regardless of gender, ethnicity and background. It will help strengthen governance and accountability for improved teaching and learning, working with appropriate institutions, especially faith-based organisations and community groups, as key stakeholders in Ghana’s education sector.

The partnership will also facilitate a series of collaborative learning events –fora for change - to generate locally-relevant ideas on pedagogical leadership and school improvement. The project will involve individuals who are key to success by testing, learning and adapting, and working with local reformers to solve problems, with careful consideration of the socio-political economy.

It would be recalled that the Associate Head of School, Dr. Eric Addae-Kyeremeh and the Programme Leader for Taught Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Jane Cullen of OU, last year called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, on possibility of entering into MoU with UCC. The visit was part of research collaboration that the two academics were undertaking with Dr. Might Kojo Abreh on “Teacher education via distance education.” Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Jane Cullen said, “The opportunity for an MoU between UCC and OU would provide many avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration: on large-scale projects, joint staff development and developing new pedagogies.”

Present at the meeting were, Research Fellow at Centre for Educational Research, Evaluation and Development (CERED), Dr. Might Kojo Abreh, The Director of CERED, Dr. Mark Amponsah and Dr. Mrs. Marie Efua Bakah and Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom both of the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA). Others were Associate Head of School (Innovation):Education; Childhood, Youth and Sports of Open University, Mrs. Millicent Aning-Agyei of DRIC, Senior Institutional Fundraiser of International Development Office of Open University, Tom Bartram, and Director of Institute of Education of UCC, Prof. Frederick Ocansey.  

Credit: Henordzi Junior (Intern)