As part of efforts to strengthen the Colleges of Education affiliated to the University, the Institute of Education has organised a workshop for key officers of the Colleges on the Conduct of Academic Board Meetings.
Opening the workshop which was attended by Principals, Vice-Principals, Secretaries, and Heads of Department of the 16 Colleges, the Director of Institute of Education, Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah, noted that the workshop was aimed at empowering the Colleges to internally take decisions to improve academic work. She noted that the University was committed to strengthening the structures of the Colleges to meet the standards of tertiary institutions. “We will work together to make this collaboration work so that we can all share best practices to meet global standards,” she assured.
Prof. Adu-Yeboah said the relationship between UCC and its affiliate Colleges had assumed another dimension so there was the need to work hard to promote academic excellence. “The Colleges should be able to strengthen its own quality assurance systems to meet standards of the National Accreditation Board and the National Council for Tertiary Education,” he stated.
The Director of the Institute of Education noted that as a requirement, the Colleges of Education were expected to hold meetings to consider the results of students. She noted that after doing needs analysis of the Colleges of Education, the Institute of Education observed that there were a number of programmes to be done for them. “A number of staff members have to be trained to achieve the functions of the new academic board in the various Colleges,” she said.
Making a presentation, the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame, noted that the business of Universities was handled by committee systems. He boards or committees in a tertiary institution were responsible for making investigations or inquiry, advice, and regulations.
Touching of the powers and functions of the Academic Board as stated in the Colleges of Education Act 847, Mr. Onyame indicated that the Board was to formulate and carry out the academic policy of the College and regulate and approve programmes of instruction and examinations in the College. He said the Board had the powers to regulate the admission of students and conduct of the examination. In addition, the Board was responsible for promoting quality assurance in teaching, research and community service. Other functions of the Board include approving appointments of internal and external examiners; review decisions of any of statutory committees among others.
Mr. Onyame noted that per the Act establishing the Colleges of Education, the Academic Board was made up of the Principal, Vice-Principal, College Librarian, Heads of Department, Head of Students’ Affairs, as well as a coopted person who is a non-voting member and the College Secretary.
The Director of Academic Affairs said the meeting of the Academic Board as prescribed by the statute or internal schedule. He said regular meetings of the Academic Board were convened by the Principal at least two times in a semester. “In case there is an emergency meeting, members should be notified at least 48 hours. One-third of the members can also call for a meeting if they give cogent reasons.
The Director of the Institute of Education later took the participants through processing examination questions, conduct of examinations and approval of results.
