Upgraded Classrooms at Korle-Bu Campus Set to Elevate Student Experience and Learning Innovation

Two classroom units, one of which doubles as an examination hall, at the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Lecture Hall, UGMS, on the Korle Bu Campus of the University, have recently been upgraded and fitted with smart classroom technologies.

These enhancements include interactive boards, tracking digital cameras, projectors, high-speed internet access and other digital tools designed to facilitate hybrid and online learning. The two modernised facilities are the latest additions to a series of lecture halls upgraded on the Korle-Bu campus as part of efforts to enhance the educational experience for UG students.

The commissioning of the two upgraded classrooms was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who highlighted the University’s ongoing efforts to improve the learning environment.

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo together with the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, the Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences and Acting Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School cutting the tape to commission the classrooms

“The commissioning of these smart classrooms represents a major advancement in our mission to provide a modern, technology-enhanced learning environment for our students and faculty. This will enhance the learning experience and bridge the gap between traditional education and the digital age,” she stated.

“With the commissioning of these modernised shared classrooms on the Korle Bu campus, I can now boldly and proudly affirm that our classroom modernisation project has seen significant progress,” Prof. Amfo added.

The Vice-Chancellor provided an update on other facilities which have been modernised, including the assistive technology laboratory for students with special needs. She noted that the University has “expanded and equipped our assistive technology laboratory at the IT Directorate, part of the Africa Centres of Excellence Impact project initiative, ensuring full participation and benefit from all aspects of university life for students, faculty and administrative staff with disabilities.”

Prof. Amfo used the occasion to “charge Provosts, Deans/Directors and Heads of Department/Units to take up the task of modernising academic facilities at the unit level across campuses to bring them at par with what has been done so far to help improve the student experience at all levels.”

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

Prior to the Vice-Chancellor's address, the College of Health Sciences Provost, Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, delivered remarks detailing the significance of these upgrades in maintaining the high educational standards of the university.

Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson

“The classroom modernisation initiative by the Vice-Chancellor is not merely new infrastructure; it represents a strategic alignment with the priorities captured in the University’s new 5-year strategic plan,” he said.

The Provost acknowledged the collaborative efforts that made the project a success, noting that “these improvements are vital for the ongoing development of the Korle-Bu campus as a hub of medical excellence.”

Prof. Samuel S. Antwi-Baffour, Dean, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences and the Acting Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof. Yvonne Dei-Adomakoh, in their respective remarks, described the smart classrooms as an investment in forward-thinking educational experiences in health and medical education which will support lecture delivery, conduct of examinations and interactive student sessions.

Both Deans acknowledged the alignment of the modernisation with the Vice-Chancellor's key strategic objectives and the strategic priorities of the University’s 5-for-5 strategic plan (2024-2029). They thanked Clems High Business Solutions Ltd. for the timely installation of the new technologies.

Following the formal commissioning, the Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries toured the upgraded facilities. The Head of IT Administration at the College, Mr. Richard Otieku-Boadu led a demonstration of how the smart devices are operated and outlined some of its functions.

Speaking on behalf of the student body, Ms. Adwoa Pinamang Owusu Afriyie, President of the University of Ghana Medical Students Association (UGMSA), expressed deep gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, University Senior Management, IT Directorate, faculty, staff, the Classroom Modernisation Committee and the Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) project for their collaborative efforts in modernising classrooms, marking a significant step towards a world-class learning experience.

She extended special appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for her visionary leadership and acknowledged the hard work and collaboration of the teams involved while mentioning the positive impact these state-of-the-art facilities will have on student learning.

The successful completion of the modernisation of the two facilities reaffirms the commitment of the University management to the continuous enhancement of educational infrastructure across all campuses under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor.

The ceremony was witnessed by past and present Deans, the College Registrar and other College officials, School Administrators, the Director of PDMSD, the Director of Public Affairs, CITO, Heads of Departments, Staff of ClemsHigh Business Solution Limited, faculty, staff and students.

A group photo of participants at the commissioning ceremony.