University of Education, Winneba Holds 20th Congregation April Session

Cross Section Of Graduating Student. UEW

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has held its 20th Congregation ceremony (April session) at the Jophus Anamuah Conference Centre on Winneba campus from April 15 to 16, 2016. The next ceremony would take place in Kumasi from April 22-23, 2016.

For this April session  a total number of 7,052 students were graduated from the School of Graduate Studies, Centre for Distance Education of the Institute for Educational Development and Extension (IEDE), Faculty of Technical Education and Faculty of Vocational Education. This comprises 5,434 degrees, 222 diploma, 609 post-graduate degrees.   By the end of the April Congregation, UEW would have graduated a total of 16, 217 students 2014/15 academic year representing 3% increase over the 2013/2014 academic year.                        

The Deputy Executive Secretary for the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), Mr. Paul Dzonor who represented the Minister for Education, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, charged tertiary institutions to look for innovative ways of raising funds to support their activities without deviating from their core mandate. He believed that University communities could take advantage of their large sizes and large potential commercial activities to generate income to support their institutions.

‘Government, he said, would continue to play a leading role in providing equitable access, quality, relevant and affordable higher education to Ghanaians. ‘However, as a nation, we have to accept the need to diversify sources of funding tertiary education through sustainable mechanism.

According to him, Government recognises the role universities play in producing manpower for the nation; however, the universities should be playing pivotal roles in assisting government find solutions to challenges such as the perennial floods, drying of our water bodies, the energy crisis and unemployment, to mention the least.

Mr. Dzonor mentioned development projects that government had undertaken. He said government was equipping science laboratories, renovating and expanding existing infrastructure in all 38 Public universities. 

In 2008, 38 publicly-owned Teacher Training Institutions were upgraded to tertiary status and re-designated Colleges of Education. Five new colleges recently absorbed by Government, as public colleges of education, were beset with challenges that border on governance, regulation, management, autonomy and human resource. Government is of the conviction that UEW as a Chartered Teacher Training University is well positioned to assist these Colleges to address their deficiencies, he noted.

The Chairman of UEW Governing Council, Dr. Emmanuel Kenneth Andoh addressed some issues in the education sector. He said much as UEW appreciates attempts being made for postings of professional teachers, a lot more needed to be done regarding employment.

Dr. Andoh was convinced that, for UEW to diligently pursue its vision and mission there must be a symbiotic relationship between UEW and Government, especially the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ghana Education Service (GES).

On the development and management of the Colleges of Education in the country, the Chairman proposed a more collaborative relationship and cooperation between these Colleges of Education and Universities that have been established with the sole purpose of training professional teachers for national development. He was optimistic that with all its 4 component campuses, UEW was well positioned to adequately assist, support and mentor the new emerging Colleges of Education in the country. The Chairman asserted, it was the responsibly of all institutions in the education sector to work closely and collaborate effectively to assist the country to obtain good returns from the huge investments the nation was making in the education sector.

Dr. Andoh condemned the perennial problem and headache of leaking of examination questions under the very watch of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the unfortunate attempts made by WAEC leadership to explain and describe it as rather a ‘pre-information’ or ‘foreknowledge’. ‘Unfortunately, no amount of jingoistic semantics will clear this shame until WAEC accepts responsibility for the mess, makes amends, and takes the necessary steps to prevent any future occurrence’, the Chairman said. He therefore called on all the stakeholders in the education sector; MOE, GES, National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) to work together with WAEC to achieve a noble objective.

Dr. Andoh also called on institutions at the tertiary level to be vigilant in ensuring that the integrity of examinations and the sanctity of their academic degrees, diplomas and certificate are not compromised.

The Chairman of Council congratulated the graduating class for their academic achievements and success.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UEW, Prof. Mawutor Avoke touched on development at UEW. He said UEW continues to make strides in their efforts to pursue their mission. UEW had instituted two key funding schemes namely, the UEW Research and Innovative and Staff Development Fund (RISDF) and the Vice-Chancellors’ Scholarship Fund for Brilliant but Needy Students, in their quest to promote research and scholarship.

Prof. Avoke spoke about a recent agreement UEW had signed with two Chinese Universities namely the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC) and the Jiansu University (JU) as the University continues to strengthen its ties with both local and international institutions. The two Chinese Universities have agreed to sponsor some UEW staff on doctoral studies.

Prof Avoke welcomed the passage of the Colleges of Education Act which has upgraded all the teacher training colleges into Colleges of Education and said UEW has opened its doors to them for a greater collaboration and partnership. ‘UEW is committed to working with the colleges of Education in Ghana to upgrade their status to tertiary level. The VC said, an initial survey carried out indicated that about 61 %of teachers in the Colleges do not have the requirement to teach in tertiary institutions. ‘Our collaboration will therefore aid in building the capacities of staff of the colleges.  UEW has therefore designed a comprehensive mentorship programme for the Colleges and is likely to carry the programmes earmarked for capacity building to their doorsteps,’ the Vice-Chancellor reported.

Prof. Avoke expressed appreciation to UEW’s esteemed stakeholders, who in diverse ways had supported the institution over the years. He also praised the Government of Ghana, GETfund, some bankers and donors for their massive support.

He then advised the graduating class to make good use of every opportunity offered, confront challenges and forge ahead and aspire to higher heights. He further urged them to be active members of the UEW Alumni and contribute to their Alma mater in their own small way.

He extended his appreciation to all Staff of UEW for their relentless effort and hard work, and to special guests, chiefs, parents relatives, spouses, and loved ones for making the occasion memorable.