The Director-General of the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, has urged lecturers to prioritise the needs of students and create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
He expressed worry that some lecturers do not bother to enquire about students who were unable to return to school in a new academic year which may be a result of factors such as financial difficulties at home militating against them.
To him, faculty members should not sit aloof for such predicaments to serve as the basis for students to forfeit the hope of continuing school.
"When students don't return to school, we just go ahead to put ICs. Somebody must follow up on them. Payment of school fees might be a challenge for the student. So, we as colleagues can come together to assist such a student", he said.
Dr. Boakye-Yiadom gave the advice at a leadership seminar organised by the School of Allied Health Sciences as part of the handover ceremony for new heads of department in the school.
Some members of faculty of the School and Administrative staff members at the seminar
It was on the theme, "Leading Universities for Learning: Support Systems for Faculty, Administrators and Students in Improving Learning Outcomes."
The Director-General used the occasion to enjoin lecturers not to take swipes at students in class, adding that such behaviour could dampen their spirits.
He urged lecturers to be patient with the modern students, who he described as "digital natives" as a result of their tech-savvy and multitasking skills.
Dr. Michael Boakye Yiadom, who was the resource person for the seminar, indicated the students need to be moulded to fit into society so they don't go astray.
He asked the new heads of department to execute their duties diligently and professionally.
"As heads, your staff expects you to be honest, inspiring, innovative, role model and forward-looking," he continued.
He advised the new office holders against lording their positions over their staff but delegate some of their duties to them for efficiency.
Dean of the School, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong
The Dean of the School, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, in his closing remarks, charged the new heads to wear their ‘servant’ coats and serve their departments as waiters and not lords waiting to be served.
He advised the freshly-appointed leaders to see their positions as a sacrifice, where they need to empower and help their staff to take over from them in the future.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC