UEW Academic Heads Receive Two-day Orientation at Manna Heights Hotel
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) organised a two-day orientation programme from 26th - 27th October, 2017 at Mankessim for Deans, Directors and Departmental Heads for Winneba and Ajumako campuses. It was to remind and sharpen the skills of the experienced ones and help the newly appointed ones gain insight into what is expected of them.
The event had in attendance the Acting Vice-Chancellor, four Deans, three Directors, 41 Heads of Department and seven personnel from the Division of Human Resource and Division of Publications and Communication.
The Senior Assistant Registrar of the Senior Members Department at the Division of Human Resource, Mr. Ben Duadze, gave the purpose of the gathering, on behalf of the Deputy Registrar (Division of Academic Affairs) and Acting Registrar, Mrs. Christie Okae-Anti.
He said the Orientation was a University activity organised every year to equip experienced and newly appointed Deans, Directors and Heads with the needed skills to execute their duties properly.
The orientation discussed topics such as “Pursuing Excellence: Effective Management of Units, Academic Leadership at the Faculties, Financial Management at the Units, Collaborative Leadership: the role of the Administrator, Procurement Issues, the Importance of Internal Audit, the Role of a Departmental Head at UEW, OSIS: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward, Staying Competitive and Staff Professional Development.”
Speaking on the topic “Pursuing Excellence: Effective Management of Units”, Acting Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni said excellence was the quality of being outstanding. He also said, to pursue excellence one had to step outside the comfort zone and work with the spirit of endeavor. He added that Management was co-ordinating the inputs of the various human resources to accomplish institutional goals.
“I think it is pathetic when generally we think that Management is Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Finance Officer: Hardly do we even include the University Librarian, Internal Auditor or Director of Development and this behaviour is displayed in the way we do everything including the way we minute on documents. Management is all of us. Management is you and I. Let us work in partnership with our common vision so people will know what we are doing.” He said.
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Professor George Kankam presented on the topic, “Academic Leadership at the Faculties”. He said leadership is the ability to establish a clear vision, share that vision with others so they would follow willingly, provide information, knowledge and methods to realise that vision.
The Deputy Finance Officer, Mr. Frank Owusu Boateng took members through “Financial Management at the Units” this was followed by a presentation on the topic “Collaborative Leadership: The Role of the Administrator” by the Deputy Registrar of IERIS, Mr. William Agyei-Bieni.
Acting Head of Procurement, Mrs. Mary Dzimey, made the fifth presentation on Procurement Issues, whereas the Senior Assistant Officer of the Internal Audit, Mr. Godwill Andoh-Mensah ended the session with “The Importance of Internal Audit.”
The former Dean of the School of Creative Arts, Professor Mary Dzansi McPalm, started the presentation for the second day with the topic, “Staff Professional Development (SPD)”. She spoke on issues concerning promotions at the University saying that the rationale for Staff Professional Development included Staff Development and Improved Research and Publications.
She added that there was the need for Staff Professional Development to help improve the institutional workforce towards the realisation of its vision and mission and also assist staff to pursue career advancement through developing interpersonal, supervising and managerial skills.
The Director of Quality Assurance Directorate, Professor Yaw Ameyaw, in his presentation on the topic “Staying Globally Competitive – How can UEW Stay and Survive” revealed that UEW has been collaborating with 40 institutions but was not receiving any benefit from those collaborations. He therefore advised that the University should put more value on skills than a degree or certificate.
Presenting on “The Role of a Departmental Head at UEW”, the Dean of the Faculty of Science Education, Professor Samuel Asiedu-Addo, outlined various responsibilities of a Departmental Head.
He said Departmental Heads must organise teaching programmes to maintain acceptable standards of teaching and ensure that facilities were available in their respective disciplines. He added that the academic leader must promote excellent teaching and learning, counsel and mentor students and adhere to the general regulations of the University as well.
Mr. Raymond Bentum Boison of the Division of Academic Affairs made the final presentation on the topic “OSIS: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward”.
Participants had the privilege to ask questions and make contributions to each presentation and their questions were addressed by the facilitators.
The two-day event was coordinated by Mr. Benjamin Duadze and Mr. Isaac Darkoh of the Division of Human Resource.
By Godlove K. B. Tetteh
.