UG Council Chair, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo (rtd.) and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, along with other management members, have officially commissioned modern IT facilities at the Staff Resource Learning Centre and modernised classrooms at the Oracca Tetteh/Larway Building, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and the Accra City Campus, as part of the Classroom Modernisation Programme.
The team also toured the ultramodern training facility and a multi-purpose workshop established by Toyota Ghana Company Limited for the School of Engineering Sciences.
The team touring a facility established by Toyota Ghana Company Limited for the School of Engineering Sciences
At the commissioning ceremony, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo (Rtd), Chair of the University Council commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, and all other stakeholders for making the project a reality. She pointed out that having a Resource Centre and other modernised amenities in this contemporary era is critical because it enhances teaching and learning.
The team at the Oracca Tetteh/Larway Building
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, underscored the importance of the day, by reiterating her three tech-driven initiatives: "1 Student, 1 Laptop, Classroom Modernisation, and the Hot-spot Comfort Zones."
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
She explained that the initiative's objective was to help students have a positive experience in the 21st century, so they can contribute to their communities and the wider world. Prof. Amfo also extended her sincere gratitude to the entire team for their tireless support and contributions in making the project a success. The Vice-Chancellor then urged faculty members to enroll in upcoming training programmes on the use of the new equipment and also ensure that they are properly maintained.
Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), who is also Chair of the Classroom Modernisation Committee, stated that it was important for all to understand that funding for the projects came from both internal and external sources.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare
He revealed that the initiative was started with 5.5 million Ghana cedis that was internally generated by the University. The University solicited assistance from other organisations, and received additional support from the World Bank Centres of Excellence projects and the Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) at the University of Ghana. Prof. Awandare further acknowledged Nana Dr. Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie, Group Chairman, Intermarket Group of Companies, who supplied five screens that were installed in the Great Hall.
The first academic facility commissioned on the day was the Staff Learning and Resource Centre, followed by the Oracca Tetteh/Larway Building. The team then toured the Toyota Training Centre, and proceeded to commission refurbished facilities at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS, Korle Bu Campus) and the Accra City Campus.
Council Chair, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo (rtd.) commissioning newly installed IT equipment at the Staff Resource Centre
The Staff Learning and Resource Centre is intended for staff exclusively and would be used to train faculty members on how to use the newly installed IT equipment. It is occasionally used for Thesis Defense sessions.
The facilities include interactive screens, an active speaker podium, furniture, and air conditioning units. According to Mr. Robert Oracca Tetteh, IT Consultant for Clems High Business Solutions Ltd., the modernised classrooms would improve teaching and learning by providing access to live communication or teleconferencing, allowing students to join classes online and contribute to class discussions.
A showcase of modern equipment installed at the Staff Resource Centre
He further emphasised that the amenities would allow lecturers to observe students writing examinations without physically being present to invigilate.
There was a live demonstration of how students and faculty will use newly installed cutting-edge IT equipment to improve teaching and learning.
Provost for College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyeman, announced during the visit to the Toyota Ghana Company Limited for the School of Engineering Sciences, that the facility will provide engineering students with hands-on and practical learning experience. He disclosed that talks with Toyota Ghana are well underway to expand the facility to include an area with adequate road markings and traffic lights to teach driving.
A group photo after touring the multi-purpose workshop established by Toyota Ghana Company Limited for the School of Engineering Sciences
He led the team to inspect the classrooms, laboratories, Electronic Ignition (EI) system control room, Parts and Maintenance room, servicing room and reception. One of the significant and fascinating, yet educational, inscriptions displayed at the facility is, “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident”.
The facility located off the Haatso GIMPA road, comes with 3 lecture rooms including laboratories and will host about 240 students.
The facilities commissioned at UGMS at Korle-Bu were funded by the 1996 year group. The year group also donated 16 modern microscopes and four (4) teaching cameras.
The team touring a facility at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS)
Dr. Ama Pokuaa Sarpong spoke on behalf of the 1996 year group, endorsing the Vice-Chancellor's Classroom Modernisation Project and appealed to Management to ensure students make appropriate use of the facilities and keep them in good condition for future use.
Dr. Sarpong implored all others, particularly year groups, to give back and contribute to the University's success story.
When the team arrived at the Accra City Campus, the faces of the students were filled with joy and excitement as the acting Student Representative Council (SRC) President and other executives joined the school's management to inaugurate the facilities.
An interactive screen being exhibited at the City Campus during the tour
The Classroom Modernisation Project is one of the 3-pronged tech-driven initiatives spearheaded by the Vice-Chancellor to achieve her vision of creating a culture that promotes research, teaching and learning, administrative processes and extension activities driven by technology and anchored in humanism.
The first modernised classroom to be commissioned under the project was the K.A. Busia Classroom, on Tuesday December 13, 2022.
Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost of the College of Health; Ms. Pascaline Songsore, Senior Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate; Deans, Directors and the media accompanied Management on the tour. Heads of Unit and staff at the various campuses as well as student leaders were present to welcome and interact with the delegation.
