THE newly inducted Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Yakubu Haruna, has pledged to transform the UDS into a practically-oriented institution.
According to him, although much had been done towards achieving that goal, the UDS was still bedevilled with several setbacks that had clipped its wings and thus prevented from taking its rightful place since its establishment in 1992.
Speaking at a press soiree at his residence in Tamale, the Vice-Chancellor said his administration would focus on five thematic areas to enable it to move the UDS beyond its current status.
The five areas, he mentioned, are to expand graduate training and research, improve on academic programmes, enhance quality of teaching and learning, improve internal revenue generation and operate an enhanced management and governance style.
Prof. Haruna said under the graduate programmes, his administration would work towards instituting more flexible sandwich programmes to favour students who could not enrol for full-time studies.
He said there were a number of structural problems hindering the effectiveness of the post-graduate programmes, one of which was the length of time it took students to get a Master’s or PHD degree.
Prof. Haruna attributed those challenges to lack of appropriate qualified teaching and supervisory personnel to guide and mentor the students, adding that his administration would, therefore, recruit more professional staff.
He said for the academic programmes, the UDS had over the years introduced new programmes to reflect emerging population dynamics and industry demands and that had put pressure on the university to admit more.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, expressed concern about the declining government subvention, which was hindering the process of increasing admission.
Prof Haruna said the university would nonetheless mobilise resources to expand the number of lecture rooms, laboratories and hostels.
“We have already started sourcing for strategic investors to join us in a university-private sector partnership to provide accommodation for our students,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor admitted that the multi-campus system being operated by the university was a major challenge to the university because it was expensive to maintain.
The UDS has campuses in Nyankpala, Tamale, Navrongo and Wa, each of which has one or two faculties as well as a medical school in Tamale.
Prof Haruna said in order to increase its internal revenue generation, the UDS would expand its funding base by identifying new and sustainable sources of income, such as grants from developing partners.
“The faculties would be resourced to solicit for consultancies and to strengthen links with industry and commerce,” he said, adding that the university would also control its expenditure through effective auditing and efficient use of its resources.
The VC pledged to operate an open-door policy hinged on an enhanced communication among the management, staff and students.
“I will also promote policies in line with the statutes and the strategic plan of UDS,” he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment