The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole has rounded up his nationwide visit to Colleges of Education (CoE) in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions.

With the elevation of the Colleges of Education in the country to tertiary status, the relationship between the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Colleges has taken a new dimension. This implies that the relationship goes beyond the assessment of students of the colleges and includes mentorship in the areas of academic work, governance, staff development and capacity building. Currently, 45 out of the 46 Colleges have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Affiliation Agreement with UCC.

Interacting with the various Colleges in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, Prof. Kuupole expressed gratitude to the Colleges for accepting to work with UCC, adding that “The renewal of this relationship places a greater responsibility on us to offer the best services to the 45 Colleges of Education”.  He gave the assurance that UCC as the mentor institution would continue to provide the needed support and assistance to help the colleges grow. He indicated that though such visits were not regular, the management of the Institute of Education would intensify interactions with the Colleges during the subsequent academic years.

Prof. Kuupole advised the Colleges to position themselves strategically as tertiary institutions with a change of mindset and be innovative in their activities. He indicated that their previous mode of operation under the Ghana Education Service was different from the tertiary system. He noted that once the conditions of service for the Colleges become operational, tutors would be promoted based on their research output and stressed that “In the tertiary institution, you either publish or perish.”  He indicated that the University of Cape Coast through the Institute of Education has outlined training workshops for all categories of staff in the Colleges to enhance their competence and skills. Alternatively, he said that staff in the Colleges could take advantage of the numerous postgraduate programmes in UCC to upgrade themselves.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by a team from the Institute of Education comprising the Director, Prof. Frederick Ocansey; Coordinator, Research and Publications, Dr. Afredina Z. Kuupole, Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. Prosper Nyatuame and Accountant, Mr. Daniel Abina Dwaase. In the Ashanti Region, the team visited Wesley College of Education, St. Louis College of Education, Agona S. D. A College of Education, Mampong Technical College of Education, Offinso College of Education St. Monica’s College of Education and Akrokerri College of Education. Colleges visited in the Brong Ahafo Region were Atebubu College of Education, Berekum College of Education, St. Ambrose College of Education and St. Joseph College of Education.