The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has organised a two-day
orientation for Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments (HoDs) to remind and
sharpen the skill of experienced ones and help newly appointed ones gain
insight into what is expected of them.
The two-day exercise took place from Thursday 26th
October to Friday 27th October, 2017 at Manna Heights Hotel in Mankessim for Winneba and Ajumako campuses.
The event had in attendance, the acting Vice-Chancellor, four
Deans, three Directors, 41 Heads of Departments and seven personnel from the
Division of Human Resource and Division of Publications and Communication.
Senior Assistant Registrar of the Senior Members Department
at the Division of Human Resource, Mr. Benjamin Duadze on behalf of the Deputy
Registrar (Division of Academic Affairs) and acting Registrar, Mrs. Christie
Okae-Anti gave the purpose of the gathering.
He said the orientation was a university activity organised every
year to equip experienced and newly appointed Deans, Directors and HoDs 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.”
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Rev. Fr. Prof. Afuul-Broni, Acting Vice-Chacellor, UEW |
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; adding that, to
pursue excellence one had to step outside the comfort zone and work with the
spirit of endeavour. He stated that management was coordinating 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’s work in partnership with our common vision so
people will know what we are doing.” He said.
Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Professor George Kankam
presented on the topic, “Academic Leadership at the Faculties”. He said leadership was 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.
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 for the School of Creative Arts, Professor
Mary Dzansi McPalm started the presentation for the second day on the topic “Staff
Professional Development (SPD)”. She spoke on issues concerning promotions at
the university saying that the rationale for SPD included Staff Development and
Improved Research and Publications. She added that there was the need for SPD
to help improve the UEW workforce towards the realisation of its vision and
mission and also assist staff to pursue career advancement through developing
interpersonal, supervising and managerial skills.
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”, Dean
of 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 Isaac Darkoh of the
Division of Human Resource and Ms. Eva Annan, Head of Media Relations.
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Ms. Eva Annan, Head of Media Relation |