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Presentation of the award to the Pro Vice-Chancellor

UCC Basic School Presents Award to Pro Vice Chancellor

11 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

Management of the University Basic School has presented an award the School won at the Star Life Ghana Blooming Minds Young Writers Competition to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francisca Dora Edu-Buandoh.

The University Junior High School was represented by Dzisenu Edoh-Torgah, a JHS 1 pupil in the competition. For her prize she received a cash prize of GH ¢2, 000 and some educational materials.

Background                                    

Star Life Ghana Blooming Minds Young Writers Award is an annual competition designed to raise young African leaders by recognizing and rewarding children with creative writing, short stories and poetry in Ghana and Nigeria.

There were 187 entries nationwide, the University Junior High School recorded the highest entries and emerged winners.

University Junior High School Management’s Remarks

Presenting the award, the Headmistress of the University Junior High School, Mrs. Kate Frimpong, said that the success was a collective effort of tutors of the kindergarten through the primary level to the Junior High level as well as parents of the student.

Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Remarks

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the University congratulated the Management of the Junior High School on this great achievement. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the teachers for their efforts and added that “This is an example of what you stand to achieve if you work hard”.

 Prof. Edu-Buandoh encouraged the award winner to continue writing and also motivate her friends to emulate her example so that they would not only win awards but to help improve on their writing dexterity.

Senior Members Present

Present at the presentation ceremony were the; Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame; Director of Legal, Consular and General Services, Mr. Moses Abnory and Assistant Director, Public Relations and Protocol Section, Mr. Felix Adu-Poku.

The delegation of senior members from the University Junior High School was the Headteacher of University Primary Mrs. Georgina Aglobitse; Headmaster of Basic School Annex, Mr. Victor Fiifi Addison and Assistant Head Master of the Primary School, Mr. Foster Quarshie.

 

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The Centre for Child Development Research and Referral (CCDRR) has organised a training workshop for teachers of Saint Mary’s Girls School in Cape Coast

Centre for Child Development Research and Referral Trains Teachers of St. Mary’s Girls School

11 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Centre for Child Development Research and Referral (CCDRR) has organised a training workshop for teachers of Saint Mary’s Girls School in Cape Coast.

 The training workshop was held to equip the teachers to identify and assist pupils with reading and other learning challenges in the classroom. It was on the theme “The Role of the Teacher in Identifying Reading and Other Learning Problems in the Regular Classroom.”

Inclusive Education for All

Opening the workshop, the Coordinator of CCDRR, Dr. Lebbaeus Asamani, indicated that the workshop was to expose the teachers to issues in “inclusive education” and the need to ensure the availability of competent teachers who can provide quality education to all children whether with or without disability as enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana.  He noted that the Inclusive Education Policy Document which was produced in 2015, placed emphasis on ensuring access and learning for all children without discrimination. Dr. Asamani said the core function of CCDRR were: educational assessment and intervention; workshops and training of teachers; doing referrals when necessary and conducting research related to child development; and learning difficulties and disorders.

Planned Workshops for Teachers and Other Stakeholders

The Coordinator of CCDRR indicated that, the workshop was the first in a series which had been planned to equip teachers with the needed skills for contemporary inclusive classroom. He said there would be subsequent workshops involving other stakeholders and informed the teachers that, the Centre would do follow-up on the progress of the pupils. “I am hopeful the training workshop will leave the participants very resourced and refreshed to help provide good quality education for their pupils,” he remarked.

Topics for the Workshop                                   

Highlighting  some of the problems of learning to the teachers,  a Teaching Associate, Ms. Martha-Pearl Okai, who was the resource person for the training workshop took participants through “Dyslexia – difficulty with reading; Dyscalculia - difficulty with mathematic calculation; Dysgraphia - difficulty with writing; Apraxia – difficulty with motor coordination; Social-Emotional problems; Written Expressing problems; Oral Language problems and Spelling problems” She advised teachers that, the best way to deal with any of these learning problems or difficulties in pupils/students was to be able to identify them.

Early Identification of Learning Problems

Ms. Okai stressed on the need for early identification of learning problems and urged the teachers to actively play their counselling role in the classrooms through the use of procedures - report, pre-referrals, referrals and post referrals. She entreated them to engage pupils in a natural environment; listening carefully and respectfully; being culturally sensitive and developing a good relationship with parents. “Avoid making diagnosis; raising concerns and making judgment,” she implored. She called on the teachers to report all forms of teaching and learning problems to CCDRR for redress.

The resource person engaged participants through sketches, group work, discussions, questioning and answering sessions.

 

training
Institute of Education Trains Vice-Principals and Assessment Officers

Institute of Education Trains Vice-Principals and Assessment Officers

10 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

As part of the University’s role in contributing to competitive standards in training teachers for quality education and sustainable development, the Institute of Education has organised a 2-day Workshop for Vice-Principals and Assessment Officers of the various Colleges of Education.

Relevance of the Workshop

Welcoming participants to the workshop, the Chairman, Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Eric Magnus Wilmot, acknowledged the relevance of the two-days training to the Vice-Principals and Assessment Officers. He indicated that the workshop would generate fruitful discussion and enlighten them to appreciate the implementation of the new ‘Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programmes. He urged the participants that UCC has been working with the Colleges and would continue to build their capacities to assess students learning. “I wish that by the end of this workshop, the interactions will help you improve on what is already happening in your Colleges,” he noted.

Purpose of the Training Workshop

Presenting the purpose of the training workshop, the Director, Institute of Education, Prof. Frederick Ocansey, explained that workshops were routine feature of the collaboration between UCC and the Colleges. He noted that this workshop focused on assessment practices and the implementation of the new B.Ed. programmes in the various Colleges of Education in the country.

Prof. Ocansey noted that the workshop would address: the content, structure and issues involved in the implementation of the new B.Ed. programmes; the review of the process of test construction, administration and scoring and the review of procedures for test item analysis and feedback. He also mentioned that participants would be taken through the continuous assessment practices at the Colleges; and the challenges likely to be encountered in the new B.Ed. programmes.  He further indicated that the workshop, the resource persons would lead participants to discuss the processes and challenges involved in the managing of the newly designed programme for Students’ Information System (SIS), and share ideas and experiences for a collective decision.

Structure of the B.ED Curriculum for the Colleges of Education

Speaking on the implementation of the new B.Ed Curriculum, the Dean, School of Educational Development And Outreach, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, described the structure of the programmes as: B.Ed. Early Childhood Education (KG – P3), B.Ed Primary Education (P1 – P6), and B.Ed Junior High School Education (JHS1 – JHS3). He explained that “on every programme content, a student will have four broad areas, general education, pedagogy and college courses.”

Importance of the Structure and Content of the New Curriculum

Prof. Davis said the structure and content would provide to students a versatile opportunity for integration, double specialisation (with one major) and single major (Vocational/Technical Subjects) for the purpose of teacher-professional progression. Commenting on the planning and implementation, he charged the course coordinators to plan how they would ensure continuous interactions and communication with their team members. He emphasised on the role of the coordinators in the implementation of the new B.Ed. programme was to mentor; serve as link between the Institute of Education (UCC) and the Colleges; assess and create a common platform for discussion. Prof. Davis reminded participants that they were critical in the successful implementation of the curriculum because their interpretation would help determine the full relisation of the new B.Ed. programmes.         

 

training
Presentation of Books to the Department of Physics

Prof Kofi Adu Donates Books to Department of Physics

10 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

Prof. Kofi Adu, a Fulbright Scholar from Pennsylvania State University-Altoona College, USA, has donated latest books on Introductory Physics valued at nine thousand four hundred US dollars ($ 9,400.00) to the Department of Physics.

Presenting the books, Prof. Adu who is an alumnus of the Department and the University of Cape Coast said he was glad to be back to campus to serve as a resource for both graduate and undergraduate students. He said the books cover the various spectrums of calculus and algebra based Introductory Physics and will provide the needed resources for the undergraduate students.

 The Head of Department of Physics, Dr. George Amoako, who received the books on behalf of the Department and the University thanked Prof Adu for the donation. He said the books would go a long way to enhance teaching, learning and research work.

Present were Dr. Benjamin Anderson of the Department of Physics and the Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. David K. Essumang.

Prof Kofi Adu’s Activities as a Fulbright Scholar at Department of Physics

In an interview, Prof Adu indicated that he would be spending nine months at the Department of Physics engaging the Faculty in the Department, School of Physical Sciences as well as the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS) to collaboratively develop a new programme. He would be working with Faculty in specific departments within CANS to create an MPhil and Ph.D degree programmes in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology with emphasis on harnessing the novel innovations technologies in addressing some of the “real world” socioeconomic and scientific challenges in the country.

Prof. Adu also said, currently he is teaching one undergraduate level course, special theory of relativity and one postgraduate level course Solar Cells and Thin Film Technologies. In addition, he is conducting research with faculty in the Department and serving as an adviser to some Ph.D candidates. 

The Fulbright Scholar said another mission he had begun championing was to get more women to pursue Physics at the undergraduate, masters and the Ph.D levels. He indicated that “starting the 2019/20 fiscal year, I will institute a one-time GH ¢ 2, 000 scholarship per student to support women who will be accepted to the department to pursue their Ph.D and award three female undergraduates who maintain a Cumulative Grade Point of 2.85 or higher with GH ¢ 500 on a semester basis. The best graduating female Physics student would receive GH ¢ 500 during congregation,” he noted. He explained that all these scholarships/grants were to motivate more women to enter into the field of Physics. He is also providing a one-time support of GH ¢ 4000 for a candidate to enroll in the Ph.D program in the department.

 

SEDO holds first International Conference on the theme " “Promoting Innovative Educational Practices for Sustainable Development”

School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) Holds Maiden International Conference

10 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

The School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) in its quest to engage educational practitioners and researchers on quality education has held its 1st International Conference under the theme, “Promoting Innovative Educational Practices for Sustainable Development”.

Guest Speaker’s Address            

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, the Guest Speaker, Emeritus Professor Philip Clarkson, from Australian Catholic University/University of Melbourne, spoke on ‘Globalisation, Language, Values and the way forward to Supporting teachers in Turbulent Times.’

Globalisation in Education

 Touching on “Globalisation in Education”, he indicated that the sustainability, environment, quality and support of teachers were crucial concepts. He explained that “The first priority of education for sustainable development is improving access to and quality of basic education,” he said. Another concept he mentioned was formal education, which he said would help to promote the “commodification of education”; and capture what a society valued and wished to pass on to its next generation.

Use of Language in the Classroom

According to Emeritus Prof. Clarkson, the use of language (L1 and L2) in the classroom, in learning might build a cognitive development on the side of the students, however, care needed to be taken in applying the strategies across the context. Emphasising on the relevance of inculcating values in subjects of the study, he admonished curriculum planners to take keen interest to consider their values, because deeper learning included accessing the inherent subject specific values and seeing them for what they were. “Values also include understanding the deeper notions which give a coherent whole in a subject,” he added.

Give Teachers the Needed Recognition

Emeritus Prof. Clarkson cautioned education institutional leaders, curriculum developers and the society, and charged them to give teachers the needed recognition as the front line of the school and that they needed not to be viewed as ‘technicians and trainable’ or ‘to be developed’. “Teachers are professionals who act and think and should critique what they prepare for their teaching, because critiquing the curriculum is a must too.  Therefore, as in all professions, they need: ongoing, insightful, pertinent opportunities for professional learning after they graduate; to reflect on their ongoing praxis, and this needs to be accessible to teachers, as their support,” he concluded.

Purpose of the Conference

In her welcome address, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, indicated that since the establishment of the School in August 2016, it had been its dream to organise a conference to bring together lecturers, researchers, educational practitioners and other professionals in the educational sector to share knowledge on issues that would help promote education in Ghana and beyond. She noted that education played significant role in the development of individuals, societies and the nation. Therefore, there was the need to target education as the vehicle to improve the living conditions of the youth, especially in the global south, with poor social and economic conditions.

Innovation in Education

Prof. Edu-Buandoh noted that innovation in education and practices associated with it, have increased, however, the impact of these innovations on the provision of quality education to promote sustainable development, needed to be explored further. “I am informed that this conference seeks   to create the platform or engagement among educational practitioners and researchers on seven sub-themes, namely, curriculum and teaching; quality assurance; access, equity and inclusion; assessment in education; development and management of educational practitioners; ICT integration in education; and educational leadership and management,” she noted. She was hopeful that discussions at the conference would produce workable innovative practices that would ultimately help to improve education delivery in Ghana and in other contexts.” She wished the participants fruitful deliberations.

Quality Education Cannot Be Compromised

The Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Eric Magnus Wilmot, noted that quality education could not be compromised at all the levels of education thus basic, second cycle and tertiary. “In reality, in our time, what we need is Quality Education, which is at the heart of the SDGs, and to achieve it, we need to inject innovative practices,” he emphasised. He was confident that that the presentations would contribute towards improving the entire academic system to reflect in quality teaching , research and learning in the various educational institutions in order to eradicate hunger, poverty and to achieve gender equality.

Participants for the Conference

The two-day programme brought together representatives from other Universities in Ghana, District Directorates of Education, National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), Ghana Education Service(GES), National Teaching Council (NTC), National Inspectorate Board (NIB), National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA), Development Partners, Sponsors and Students.

public lecture
Opening Ceremony of the maiden “Winter/New Year School”

Department of Religion and Human Values Holds Winter-New Year School

10 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

Winter-New Year School

The Department of Religion and Human Values has held the maiden “Winter-New Year School” under the theme, ‘Religion and Human Security in Africa”.

The Winter-New Year School which was hosted by the Department of Religion and Human Values was held in collaboration with the University of Groningen (UG), Netherlands to deliberate and discuss on issues relating to Religion and Human Security in Africa.

Keynote Address               

Giving the keynote address, the immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K. T. Oduro, said, the Winter-New Year School would create an opportunity for African scholars and civil society to reflect on human security issues in Africa within the context of Religion. He also noted that it was through a rigorous unprejudiced assessment of the role played by Religion and religious practices in promoting Human Security across the continent, that problems and challenges associated with managing Human Security in Africa could be effectively and efficiently addressed.

Prof. Oduro Urged participants to give high priority to the Human Security, adding that “A development without security, peace and comfort of the citizens is meaningless”. He, therefore, called on participants of Winter-New Year School to interrogate “proliferation of commercial and business-focused Religious sects in Africa and the threats they pose to Human Security”. He commended the organisers of the Winter-New Year School for choosing a theme that was relevant to Africa in contemporary time.

Dean of Faculty of Arts Address

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. J. B. A. Afful who chaired the opening ceremony welcomed participants to the conference and urged them to take an active part in the various sessions for the five-day conference.  He was hopeful that the conference would serve as a platform for participants to interact and share knowledge among themselves to promote intellectual discourse on the theme and subthemes for the programme.

Delegates for the School

Speaking at the programme, the head of Department of Religion and Human Values, Prof. Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye, noted that there were 32 delegates from six countries namely  Germany, The Netherlands, Zimbabwe, France, Nigeria, Ireland Ghana for the conference. He commended Prof. Kocku Mensah von Stukrad- a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Groningen for playing a significant role to help realise the collaboration between UCC and UG. He also acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Joram Tarusariran and Dr. Brenda Bartelink and Willard Bouwmeester for assisting Prof. Stukrad to secure funding for the organisation of the Winter/New Year School in Cape Coast.  He further expressed gratitude UG, Local Organising Committee and participants who contributed immensely to the success of the conference.

Participants Urged to Network Among Themselves

The Director, Centre for International Education, Prof. Rosemond Bohene, urged participants to be active in all the sessions of the event.  “We should make use of such conferences to create laudable networks to promote global connections,” she said.

Presentation and Workshop Sessions

Some of the topics presented and discussed  for the various sessions of the Winter School included  Value prisms of health security seeking behaviour in Ghana; Religion in discourses of sexuality and physical security; Beyond the Academic World;

Others were “Environment challenges and the role of Religion; Themes and challenges for the study of Religion, The Bible in the life of the Ghanaian”.  Some of the sessions were also dedicated to Skills workshops and Masters or Doctor of Philosophy thesis.

 

 

public lecture
UCC Sports Team Presents trophies to Vice-Chancellor

UCC Sports Team Presents Trophies to the Vice-Chancellor

09 Feb, 2019 By louis Mensah

The UCC Sports Team has presented trophies won at the 8th Mini GUSA Games which was hosted by UCC to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah.

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee of the 8th Mini GUSA Games, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, who led the team said by dint of hard work won the competition with 20 gold 12 silver and 6 bronze medals. She noted that the team achieved the feat through the support of Management of the University, Sports and Recreation Committee and the Sports Coaches. She, therefore, expressed gratitude for the role they played to make them emerge champions of the competition.

Vice-Chancellor's Congratulatory Message

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, congratulated the Sports Team on its dedication and hard work. Applauding the LOC, he said “you had little time to plan and organise this competition, but you delivered your tasks immensely to achieve the success of the tournament”. Prof. Ampiah commended the sports men and women for their commitment and resilient performance, adding that “I believe we have supported sports development in UCC but we need to step up. We also need to boost the morale of our sports men and women and motivate them in so that they become interested in sports activities.”

The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the team for maintaining  its sterling performance and also securing a slot to represent the country in Egypt. This, he said, “it is about internationalization – selling and making the University across the world.” He wished them well in all their upcoming tournaments and said “Ayekoo.”

 

Administration
UCC Chancellor elected to US National Academy of Engineering

US National Academy of Engineering elect, Sir Sam Esson Jonah

Sir (Dr) Sam Esson Jonah

The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Sir (Dr) Sam Esson Jonah has been elected to the United States (US) National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in recognition of his distinguished contribution to engineering.

He is expected to be formally inducted in October.

Citation

A citation signed by Ruth A. David, NAE Secretary said: “For leadership and technical contributions in advancing the mineral industry in Africa, you have been elected a Foreign Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering”.

The Induction ceremony for the “NAE Class of 2019” – formal inauguration of the new and foreign members, would be held at the Academy’s annual meeting in Washington, DC and that has been scheduled for Sunday, October 6.

For this year, a total of 104 members – 86 of them, new, and 18 foreign members, have been elected.  This brings the Academy’s current membership to 2,297. The number of foreign members stands at 272.

Interview

Sir (Dr) Sam Esson Jonah in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said his election to the NAE was one of the highest professional distinctions that could be accorded to an engineer. His election is a great accomplishment not only to him, but the nation, as whole.

The Academy’s membership is an honour to those, who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature".

Others are people, acknowledged to have pioneered new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering or developing and implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

Source: GNA

Affiliate Spotlight

Ensuring The Future

Body: 

The College of Humanities and Legal Studies, is a three-tier College comprising three (3) Faculties, three (3) Schools and two centres. These are: Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Arts, School of Business, School for Development Studies, School of Economics and the Centre for African and International Studies (CAIS) and Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD). The College offers inter-disciplinary programmes equipping its products with creative abilities for the job market and critical thinking to make the graduate of the College fully suited to adapt into any modern social environment they may find themselves. Thus, the College, instituted on 1st August, 2014, can boast of numerous graduates, both undergraduate and post-graduate,  who have attained success in business, industry and the public sector in Ghana and abroad.

College: 
College of Humanities and Legal Studies
Pro Vice-Chancellor interacting with staff of the Directorate of Internal Audit

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pays Familiarisation Visits to Some Offices

30 Jan, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh has paid familiarization visits to Directorates of Finance, Internal Audit and Academic Affairs. The purpose of the visits was to formally introduce herself to the leaderships of the directorates as the new Pro Vice-Chancellor. She took office on the 1st of January this year. The Pro Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied by the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff T. Onyame, Acting Director of Public Affairs, Major Kofi Baah-Bentum (Rtd.); Snr. Assistant Registrar, Directorate of Human Resources, Mr. Isaac E. Nyieku and Assistant Registrar Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Nasir Y. Entsie, first point of call was the Directorate of Finance where they were received by the Director, Mrs. Elizabeth Obese in the company of the various heads of sections. Receiving the Pro Vice-Chancellor and her delegation, Mrs. Obese said they were elated to receive the new PVC to the directorate and said they would work hard to assist her in the discharge of her duties. “We promise to discharge our duties to the best of our abilities and integrity. We also pledge our unflinching support to your administration and will assist you to achieve the needed results”, she said. Responding, the Pro Vice-Chancellor noted that, she was confident that the already established cordial relationship between her and the directorate would continue as she assumed her new position. Prof. Edu-Buandoh thanked them for their assurance to support her in her new role in management. At the Directorate of Internal Audit, the Pro Vice-Chancellor said she was hopeful that, she would be accorded the same support if not better as she had at previous positions. She was grateful for the warm reception accorded her and the delegation. In his remarks, the director, Mr. Emmanuel P. Owusu congratulated the Pro Vice-Chancellor on her new appointment and added that it had always been wonderful working with the her. He hoped the relationship could get better as she undertook her new role as the Pro Vice-Chancellor and assured that he and his team would support her to succeed in her new endeavor. “We pledge our support to you as the Pro Vice-Chancellor so that together we move the University forward”, he added. The next stop was at the Directorate of Academic Affairs where the Director, Mr. Jeff Onyame said they were happy to receive her, since the PVC is in charge of academic matters in the University. Mr. Onyame said they had to work together since the entire business was a collaborative one. “Everyone is important in the scheme of things of the institution. The one who brings students, the one who receives the money, the one who audits and the one who prepares the place for the student to feel comfortable are all important”, he noted. He said they knew they would enjoy working with her as they had done in the past. Prof. Edu-Buandoh responded that, Academics was the lifeline of the University without which, there would be no University. She indicated that, they had always worked closely together and did not envisage how this would change and called for a stronger working relationship to make things better. She said she would call on them for direction and assistance whenever the need arose. The Pro Vice-Chancellor has also visited the Printing Press, Transport Section, Fire Service Unit, Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Section and the Security Section.

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