The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole has underscored the University of Cape Coast’s commitment to maintaining its symbiotic relationship with the Colleges of Education.
Prof. Kuupole noted that with the upgrade of Colleges of Education (CoE) to tertiary status, UCC has the responsibility to offer the best form of mentorship to the 43 Colleges that have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University.
The Vice-Chancellor made these remarks when he addressed management and staff of some Colleges in the Central, Eastern and Ashanti Regions as part of his nationwide tour to Colleges of Education affiliated to the University of Cape Coast.
Purpose of Visit
Prof. Kuupole explained that the relationship between UCC and the CoE has entered into another phase and therefore it was important to meet management and staff of the various Colleges to discuss the responsibilities and expectations of the two partners. He described the visit as a “listening tour” indicating that “we are here to listen to your concerns, challenges, expectations and aspirations regarding our relationship with you.”
The upgrade of the CoE to tertiary status demands that Colleges would have to change their mode of operation to match the standards set by the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the National Accreditation Board (NAB), the Vice-Chancellor stated. He noted staff of the CoE should possess the requisite qualification and competence to work in the Colleges.
The mandate of the Professional Board
Prof. Kuupole pointed out that all decisions concerning the academic work of the Colleges of Education emanate from the Professional Board and not the University of Cape Coast. The Professional Board is made up all the Principals of both public and private CoE, 10 representatives from the UCC including the Vice-Chancellor who chairs the Board, a representative of NCTE, Teacher Education Division and the Ghana National Association of Teachers, he explained.
Vice-Chancellor’s Team
The Vice-Chancellor embarked on the visit with a team from the Institute of Education comprising the Director, Prof. Frederick Ocansey, Coordinator of Research and Publication, Dr.(Mrs.) Alfredina Kuupole, Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. Prosper Nyatuame and Accountant, Mr. Daniel Abina Dwaase.
Capacity Building for Tutors and Staff of CoE
Speaking of opportunities available for upgrading, Prof. Ocansey said that the University has mounted several postgraduate programmes which the tutors, administrative and professional staff could pursue at UCC. He also announced that the University could mount specific programmes upon request for the Colleges on distance bases. “We can even bring lecturers to the various regions to lecture provided a number of tutors and other non-teaching staff enrol on such programmes so that you can work and still upgrade yourself,” he announced.
Research
Dr. (Mrs.) Kuupole reminded the tutors that their promotion would depend on the number of research articles they produce stressing that “In the tertiary institution, you either publish or perish”. She assured the tutors that the Institute of Education would soon organise workshops to strengthen their skills in the area of the research proposal, grant and article writing.
Colleges Visited
Seventh Day Adventist College of Education, Asokore-Koforidua- Eastern Region
Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, Kibi-Eastern Region
Abetifi Presbyterian College of Education, Abetifi-Eastern Region
Agogo Presbyterian Women’s College of Education, Agogo-Ashanti Region
Methodist College of Education, Oda-Eastern Region
Christ the Teacher College of Education, Kumasi-Ashanti Region
Ola College of Education, Cape Coast-Central Region
Komenda College of Education, Komenda-Central Region
Foso College of Education, Assin Foso-Central Region