CORP organizes orientation seminar for Rectors and Council Chairmen

Accra, May 27, GNA - The Conference of Rectors of Polytechnic (CORP), has organized an orientation seminar for Council Chairmen and Rectors (CCR) of the 10 Regional Polytechnics, to equip them with knowledge on their roles as leaders of their institutions and Councils.

Dr Paul Effah, President of the Radford University College, who facilitated the training, said the orientation was necessary to strengthen the relationship between the CCR and make them understand their jobs well enough to do away with problems that rise in the institutions.

'If the Chairmen and rectors are not on good terms, the institution will suffer, hence the need for such event to sharpen the focus of the CCR to run the affairs of the institutions,' he said.

Dr Effah reminded the CCR that they had been appointed as trustees to look after the school, and not for them to act as if they owned the institutions.

He entreated them not to allow any amount of provocation make them say things that would tarnish their reputation as heads of the institutions.

Dr Effah defined theories such as 'Agency Theory' as a concept in which the interest of owners or shareholders of an organization are different from that of managers, therefore the need to set up a board to ensure that all interests are put into consideration.

He also said a 'Stewardship Theory' is one in which managers who are appointed based on their competence require to do good job and act as effective stewards of the organization, therefore, must not be interrupted in the course of exercising their abilities.

He also asked the CCR to involve the Alumni in the decisions they made, since they were important stakeholders in the development of the school.

The Facilitator said the CCR have duties of care that calls for the exercise of independent judgment with reasonable care, diligence and skill.

He said 'no one is on council to serve sectional interest, but to collectively act such that the interest of the University would be better served by the diversity of the Council'.

He asked Authorities to avoid speaking for the council or the institution, that is, a responsibility ordinarily reserved for Chairmen of Council and Rector.

'It is also bad to use public meetings or press to make uncomplimentary comments about council or the polytechnic'.

Professor N. N. N. Nsowah Ah-Nuamah, Chairman of CORP, said the objective for the orientation was to get to know themselves as major stakeholders and train themselves to the working of Councils for the achievement of the vision, mission and strategic objectives of the polytechnics.

He proposed the formation of the Forum for Council Chairmen of Polytechnics who would meet at least once a year, to deliberate on matters of common interest to the institutions and to exchange ideas on dealing with labour, academic and other matters.

Prof Ah-Nuamah advised the CCR to work towards the development of their various institutions even though they may not necessary agree with the set objectives of the institutions.

GNA