The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) has held a seminar for Directors of Institutes, Heads of Department, and Co-ordinators of Units in the University to discuss the reviewed academic policies and regulations for graduate studies.

The old academic policies and regulations which expired in 2015 has been reviewed and would become operational in 2016.

Opening the Seminar, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof.  George K. T. Oduro emphasised the three key functions of university namely knowledge generation, knowledge dissemination and teaching. He said the research conducted by faculty should inform policy and also impact on teaching. He was, however, worried that some faculty only conduct research for promotion purpose. He called on faculty to attach importance on research content and supervision saying, globally we need academics who are balanced and can demonstrate the use of different methodologies in conducting research.

Prof. Oduro called on participants to also incorporate the College of Distance Education which recently began postgraduate programmes in the policy. He expressed gratitude to the Dean of SGS and his team for their sterling performance and assured them of management’s continuous support for their work.

The Dean of the School of SGS, Prof. Ernest Laryea Okorley, said the seminar was to solicit the views of the heads on the reviewed academic policies and regulations which would become operational from the 2016/2017 academic year. He said the review was necessitated to reflect some changes in the activities of the SGS. He noted that the reviewed document would be presented to the Academic Board for approval before its implementation.

Prof. Okorley thanked the heads of teaching departments for the mutual working relationship that exist between them and the SGS. He pointed out that the departments and institutes formed the nerve of the Graduate School adding that “the progress of the departments and institutes has a direct reflection in the SGS.” He noted that the focus of the SGS was to produce more Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) graduates to fill the vacuum in the various departments and institutes adding that “The last congregation witnessed an increase in the number of Ph. D. graduates.

He stressed the crucial role of graduate school, as driver of higher education all over the world. In order to pursue this role vigorously, he said a contract has been signed for the construction of a permanent school complex for the SGS. He added that a sod-cutting would soon be performed for construction work to begin.

The Vice-Dean of SGS and Prof. F. N. A. Odoi, a member of the SGS Board, spoke on the “Major Changes in the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies.” The Deputy Registrar, SGS, Mr. Joseph C. Sefenu also made a presentation on the New Admissions Policy for Postgraduate Studies in UCC, Challenges and Way Forward.”

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the presentations.