The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, has commended the Distance Education Students Association of Ghana (DESAG-UCC) as the most vibrant student association in the University.

According to Prof. Ampiah, the achievement chalked up by the current and past executives of DESAG was remarkable. The Vice-Chancellor mentioned the construction of a three-storey Multi-Purpose Building by the association at the Cape Coast Study Centre to be used as a Child Relaxation Centre for nursing mothers and baby-sitters.

The facility, which is at the final stages of completion, is also expected to bring some relief to nursing mothers on the distance education programme, to facilitate their academic work during face-to- face and end-of-semester examinations. "We commend DESAG for such brilliant initiative", said the Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Ampiah noted that the College of Distance Students (CODE) and DESAG would continue to work closely to replicate similar projects in other regions

Prof. Ampiah gave the commendation during the 14th Session of the 50th Congregation where1, 534 graduands were awarded degrees in their various disciplines. He lauded DESAG for instituting scholarship schemes to assist needy but brilliant students to support their education.

He, however, cautioned managers of the scholarship scheme to ensure transparency in the distribution of funds to deserving underprivileged students.

He announced that the five best graduating Diploma students would be sponsored by the University through CoDE to pursue Post Diploma. He added: " The best Business and Education students will be sponsored to do Master’s degree in the University of Cape-Coast.”

The Vice-Chancellor indicated that the Academic Board of the University had considered a report by the committee set up to restructure the Programmes run at the College to make them more relevant and in consonance with those run at the regular mode.

According to him, implementation of the recommendations of the Committee would start from 2018/19 academic year. Prof. Ampiah, however, called for the cooperation of all staff of the University, especially those at CoDE, for a smooth implementation of the recommendations to inure to the benefit of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor mentioned delays in the completion of some awarded projects and the production of modules for the students countrywide as major challenges facing the College. He, therefore, appealed to the service providers to the College to expedite work on the production of modules. Prof. Ampiah commended module writers, Chief Examiners, Facilitators, Study Centre Coordinators and Staff of the University for sacrificing their weekends to support the activities of CoDE. Prof. Ampiah congratulated the graduands and advised them to be worthy ambassadors of the University in all their endeavours.

A colourful graduation ceremony has been held for 14,812 Distance Education graduates as part of the 50th Congregation of the University.

 The ceremony covers the 7th to 16 sessions of the 50th Congregation.

Out of the aforesaid number, 9, 361 will be awarded diplomas, while 5, 451 will be awarded degrees in the various disciplines.

 The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, said this at the 8th session of the 50th congregation held for students who pursued the Diploma in Basic Education programme in   the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta and Central Regions.  He said judging by the numbers, there was no doubt that the University of Cape-Coast distance mode had widened access to tertiary education and afforded hundreds of qualified people the opportunity to access university education with ease.

The Vice-Chancellor lauded the joint efforts of the College of Distance Education (CoDE) and the Distance Students Association of Ghana (DESAG) for putting up a three-storey Multi-Purpose Building at the Cape Coast Centre to be used as a Child Relaxation Centre for nursing mothers and baby-sitters. He added that the facility, which is at the completion stage, was expected to bring some relief to nursing mothers on the distance education programme, to facilitate their academic work during face-to- face and end-of-semester examinations.

Prof. Ampiah noted that the CoDE and DESAG would continue to work closely to replicate similar projects in other regions. He announced that DESAG had Instituted a scholarship fund to support needy but brilliant students to successfully complete their programme.

The Vice-Chancellor indicated that the Academic Board of the University had considered a report by the committee set up to restructure the Programmes run at the College to make them more relevant and in consonance with those run at the regular mode.

According to him, implementation of the recommendations in the report would start from 2018/19 academic year. Prof. Ampiah, however, called for the cooperation of all staff of the University, especially staff members at CoDE, for a smooth implementation of the recommendations to inure to the benefit of the institution.

He further announced that following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the University and Teach for Ghana, a non-governmental organization, the CoDE in partnership with the Teacher Professional Support Centre of the College of Education Studies and the School of Graduate Studies, had been mandated to mount and run the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education programme through distance mode for the organisation.

He expressed joy at the preparatory work that had been completed for the programme to take-off, adding that " Modules that will be needed to run the programme have been awarded on contract and some are ready for printing."  "The programme will start in Ho in the Volta Region and Tamale in the Northern Region, with the possibility of being executed to other regions in future," he continued.

 The Vice-Chancellor mentioned delays in the completion of some awarded projects and the production of modules for the students countrywide as major challenges facing the College. He, therefore, appealed to the service providers to the College to expedite work on the production of modules.

Prof. Ampiah commended module writers, Chief Examiners, Facilitators, Study Centre Coordinators and Staff of the University for sacrificing their weekends to support the activities of CoDE. Prof. Ampiah congratulated the graduands and advised them to be worthy ambassadors of the University in all their endeavours.

The Chairman of UCC Governing Council, Mrs. Nancy O. C. Thompson, reminded the graduands that  they had been equipped with the requisite knowledge and competencies required to enable them deliver at their work places. She urged them contribute significantly towards the development of society.

Find pictures of the 8th to 16th Congregation which was dedicated to graduands of the College of Distance Education here

Pictures of 9th Session here

Pictures of 10th Session here

Pictures of 11th Session here

Pictures of 12th Session here

A five- year Strategic Plan for the University of Cape Coast,UCC, has been launched at a ceremony at the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) Auditorium.

The current  Strategic Plan, also called Third Plan, builds on the two previous Strategic Plans  ( 2003-2008, 2012- 2017) and seeks to continue with aspects of the previous plan which could not be achieved but were still relevant and the introduction of new initiatives. It also takes cognizance of the experiences and developments in the University, in the country and in the world over the last decade.

The five- year Strategic Plan, spanning 2018 to 2022,  has been developed at a time that the country is taking a critical look at the role of higher education in national development within the context of the Agenda 2057 : the 40-year Long-Term National Development Plan. At the International level, the Third Plan looks basically at ranking based on research output of faculty and staff, as well as visibility in virtual space as the basis for assessing institutions.

The Chairman of the University Governing Council, Mrs. Nancy Thompson, who launched the Corporate Strategic Plan, stated that the Council had thoroughly perused the Strategic Plan and pointed out that the nine key strategic thrusts enshrined in the Plan were clear indication of the "University's preparedness to rethink and reposition itself to take advantages of the opportunities and mitigate threats that lie ahead in the next five years." She announced that all resources needed to make the Plans a reality had been provided.

Mrs. Thompson told staff of the University that the Strategic Plans were neither mere documents nor theories, stressing that " They are specific goals with timeliness that need to be achieved".  She, therefore, called on all stakeholders in the University to work in tandem towards the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan. "It's not about the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar or Provosts. Everybody at whatever level he/she may be must put their shoulders to the wheel," she advised. Mrs. Thompson expressed profound appreciation to the 24- member Corporate Strategic Plan Committe, chaired by Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare, for their efforts,  dedication and hard work.

In his welcome address, the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah,  was of the firm belief  that the new Corporate Strategic Plan would position the University strategically to the changes taking place in its operational environment. "The Strategic Plan will help us to apply our resources and strengths  to exploit the available opportunities to confront any threats that may face us towards achieving our mission, " he stated.

The Vice-chancellor implored staff of the University to work assiduously to achieve the goals of the Corporate Strategic Plan, to put the University on a giant pedestal. Prof Ampiah was full of praise for the members of the committee for a good work done. " ...Please permit me to use this opportunity to thank Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare and his team for the good work done. We are grateful to the team, "he said.

As part of the launch, a member of the Committee, Prof. Samuel Annim, took the gathering through the highlights of the Strategic Plan.  Sax Reddick, a trumpeter and student of UCC, treated the audience to melodious instrumental tunes.

Distance Students Association of Ghana (DESAG) has held its Inter-Centre sports games to hunt for talented sports men and women across  the 10 regions of Ghana.

The games, under the theme: "Strengthening DESAG unity through sports," was also to increase cohesion among the various centres.

The regional centres, with the exception of Volta, Ashanti and Western regions which had their games last month (April), undertook sporting events such as football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, as well as indoor games. The regional Inter-Center sports competition is precursor to the regional zonal games, which has been categorised into three zones, namely: Southern, Middle and Northern.

Speaking to reporters during a tour of some centers, the Central Regional Sports Organiser, Mr. Abdul Rahman Willie, said the competition would help DESAG to identify new sports talents, who have qualities to represent their respective regions in the zonal competition, which will be held in July 2  this year at the University of Ghana-Legon.  He said those who would be selected would be groomed and provided with the necessary support to participate in the national DESAG games, which will come off in the Volta region in August 2018.

Mr. Willie said the Central region was grouped into zone A and B, comprising Swedru, Apam, Swesbu and Kasoa study centers for Zone A, while Zone B was made up of Asikuma, UCC, Assin Foso, Twifo Praso and Dunkwa-on-Offin study centres. He expressed concern about the low patronage, but, however, attributed it to the lack of transportation and probably due to the busy schedules of members, who are largely workers.

The National President of DESAG, Mr. George Amenyo, who toured the Central Regional zonal centres of the competition, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the exercise. He was, however, worried about the lack of women’s participation in the games and gave an assurance that measures would be instituted to address it.

Mr. Amenyo indicated that the games would help the DESAG to churn out many good sportsmen and women, to win laurels for University of Cape Coast in local and international competitions. He appealed to sports men and women to train harder than before to achieve more success in their career.

He further appealed to corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to assist in sponsoring the National DESAG Sports Competition. He encouraged members to use their leisure period to develop their God-given talents.

Mr. Amenyo was accompanied on the monitoring tour by the Central Regional President, Mr. Osei Derrick Boadu and Abukari Issaka, the Central Regional Financial Secretary.