First substantive Governing Council of UENR inaugurated
Sunyani, June 11, GNA - The first substantive Governing Council (GC) of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has been constituted and inaugurated with Professor John Sefa Kwadwo Ayim as the Chair.
Prof. Ayim, a former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), takes over from Prof. Aba Andam, formerly of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), and chair of the interim GC from the inception of the University in November 2012 to date.
The 12-member GC was led to take the two national oaths of office and secrecy by Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education, at a short but solemn ceremony in Sunyani on Wednesday.
Membership comprised Dr. Nicholas Amponsah of the University of Ghana (UG), Reverend Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah and Dr. Quassy Adjapawn, both government nominees, and Prof. (Mrs.) Esi Awuah, VC of the University.
Other members were Prof. Emmanuel Marfo-Owusu, Convocation, Professorial , Nana Paul Nketiah, also Convocation, but Non-Professorial, Dr. Simon Abugri of UENR, representing the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and Mr. Caesar Agana, a staff of UENR, as Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) representative.
The rest were Mr. John Asare-Baiden, nominated by Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), Mr. Obed Boateng, from the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University, and Prof. Ohene Adjei from the National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE).
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reminded the Council of the need to discharge its functions effectively, as stipulated in the UENRs Act 2011 (Act 280), to build successfully on the achievement of the interim GC.
The functions include 'Ensuring the implementation of the aims of the University', 'Determine the strategic direction of the University,' as well as 'Monitoring and Evaluating the University's policy implementation.'
The Minister of Education also entreated members of the Council, to familiarize themselves with on-going issues in the University and generally that sector of education in the country to enable them to communicate effectively to all relevant stakeholders.
Prof. (Mrs.) Awuah, in a welcoming address said, 'the UENR has demonstrated formidable strength and growth within its three years of existence,' because it started with a student population of 154 in 2012/13, but currently has 1,603 students, excluding a total of 100 students in its top-up programmes.
She said the University was confronted with challenges like inadequate classrooms, students and staff accommodation, laboratories, library, staff recruitment and inadequate funding.
Prof. (Mrs.) Awuah, therefore, expressed optimism that the new Council would provide the needed support and direction toward surmounting some of those challenges.
She also appealed to government to consider putting UENR on special budgetary allocation and funding arrangement, to enable it to meet its commitments as a specialized young University.
Prof. Ayim, on behalf of the Council Members, thanked the government for granting them the opportunity to serve the nation by steering the affairs of the University, and gave the assurance that they would not betray the confidence reposed them.
He gave the assurance that the Council and Management would work together effectively, but not contending with one another, to ensure the progress and expansion of the University.
The Council's tenure of office is three years, but it is renewable for another term.
GNA