Legon Launches Endowment Fund
The Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, Kofi Annan has announced that the institution is preparing to introduce an endowment fund to address the challenges posed by the constant growth of the university.
He stressed that for the past two decades the university had grappled with problems associated with growth.
Mr. Kofi Annan noted that the endowment fund would address problems of accommodation, finance and administration.
“So much has been achieved but because there is still so much more to do, it seems like little has been done over the years. It is against this background that the University of Ghana wants to launch an endowment fund later this year.
“If the problem of higher education can be attributed to problems of growth, then it can be reduced to inadequate resources,” he added.
The Chancellor was speaking at the second congregation of 4,500 students for the 2009 and 2010 academic year over the weekend.
They were made up of 551 diploma and certificate graduates, 3,471 undergraduates, 478 postgraduates, with 10 of the postgraduates pursuing PhD programmes.
Mr. Annan appealed to stakeholders in the education sector to support the endowment fund when comes into existence to enhance the performance of the institution in the subsequent years.
He also thanked Prof Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of UG, whose term of office ends in July this year after 25 years of dedicated service to the university, especially during his four-year term as the vice chancellor.
“We say thank you and good bye to Prof. Tagoe in advance in addition to whatever else the university might decide to do to honour him when the time comes.
The university's sincerest appreciation goes to you for everything you have ever done and we will continue to do so in the future,” Mr Annan stated.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Tagoe disclosed that as from the beginning of August this year, the results of students in the first year would count towards the determination of their degrees.
According to him, this would motivate students to plunge into serious academic work as soon as they are admitted to the university.
Additionally, he revealed that a Master of Arts programme in Public affairs would start in August in the Department of Political Science.
The programme, which would run over two-long vacation period, would contribute to the establishment of capacity building initiatives to support governance, democracy and development.
These new developments, he observed, would provide a more engaging learning environment and encourage greater interaction between students and their lecturers.
The Vice Chancellor added that in line with the four-year degree programme, the Faculty of Law would from the 2011 and 2012 academic year re-introduce direct entry for LLB programmes, adding that “this will see the faculty of law operating a mixed intake system with one group made up of first degree holders and the other consisting of graduates from Senior High Schools (SHS).”
Prof Tagoe said the university was examining various scenarios for the admission of graduates from second cycle institutions in 2011, 2012 and 2013 academic years since the senior high school education had being reverted to three years.
On the latest university rankings in Africa, Prof Tagoe said the university remained the great tower of learning and the best destination of excellence for many Ghanaians and foreigners.
He therefore urged the students and future applicants not to be deterred with the latest report that sought to place UG on a lower platform, but rather consider it as a guide to ginger them to achieve their goals.
“Be humbled and principled in all your dealings and you are sure to go far in whatever you set your mind to do. I encourage you to avoid the temptation to get rich quick but you must set specific targets for your education, career advancement and family life,” he advised.
The University presented special awards such as best teacher for humanities, outstanding administrator, distinguish award for meritorious service and best worker award to Emmanuel Yaw Benneh, Alfred Quartey, Mr. A.T Konu and Mrs. Peace Thelma Barnor respectively for their immense contribution.
Dr Elsie Effah Kaufmann, a Senior lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering Science, who is the hostess of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz television programme, was the winner of the 2009 Best Teacher Award for the Sciences. Charles Cofie, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Ghana Limited advised them to be more innovative in areas of business, agriculture, tourism, logistics and social services.
By Mary Anane