August, 2010 Internationalization

“ r. , I have noted that world class universities attract students and Mfaculty from all over the world. I will believe that we have become a world class university No. 31 August, 2010 when students completing degree programmes at good universities in , , Sierra Leone, , U.S.A., U.K. and many other places decide to come to the University of for their masters or PhD programmes, first for the reason that they A NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR FOR UG are interested in Africa, and second for the fact that the degree from Legon will once again be highly rnest Aryeetey, of Economics has been regarded internationally.” inducted into Office as the new Vice-Chancellor Professor Ernest Aryeetey - Vice-Chancellor Eof the . He was sworn into Office by the Chancellor of the University, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan at a colourful ceremony in Vice-Chancellor speaks on the Great Hall. the Future of Commonwealth Hall Professor Aryeetey spelt out in his induction address, his vision of making the University a world-class University. He paid tribute to the contribution of his “...... indful of the interlocutory injunction university. I also accept the right of Commonwealth predecessors who he said had laid a solid foundation placed on the University by a court Hall students to contribute to discussions of what for the institution. The Vice-Chancellor noted the M of law in this case, I need to be form this would take. That is why I would like to collective role of administrators, faculty members, careful in what I say about this matter. bring to an end as quickly as possible the current staff, as well as the various statutory boards and difficult situation. committees in the development of the University. The Executive Committee has already taken a decision The ceremony was attended by a wide representation to comply with the court order granting a relief There is nothing to be gained from a protracted from both local and international academic sought by the complainants. But the bigger picture of legal battle on who is right and who is wrong. The communities, including members of the University Council and officials from sister universities. A this university’s future and how Commonwealth Hall university management will be willing to sit down number of distinguished personalities were present fits in remains to be addressed. I would like to see with all the relevant parties to discuss issues related at the ceremony, among them Professor Daniel Commonwealth Hall play a lead role in the process to the case and the future of Commonwealth Hall of transforming this University into a world class within the context of the University’s broad vision.”

Professor Ernest Aryeetey

Adzei Bekoe, Professor George Benneh, Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, all former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ghana. Former President John Kufuor was among the dignitaries who witnessed

media LYNX Ltd. the event.

The Chairman of Council, Justice Dr. S. K. Date- Bah welcomed the gathering and later invited the immediate past Vice-Chacellor, Professor C.N.B. Tagoe to deliver brief remarks after which an official handing-over of notes was performed.

We bring you highlights of his address in this Special The Ghana Dance Ensemble in a performance during the ceremony Chancellor adminstering the Oath of Office Newsfile. 8 A Publication of the University of Ghana • Published by Public Affairs Directorate • www.ug.edu.gh Cont’d on page 2

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Cont’d from page 6 institute a programme of research for specified Vice-Chancellor periods. This is what will inform departmental budgets acknowledges work and hence resource allocation. done by Predecessors I know that it is not easy to pursue a serious research programme in our departments so long as the numbers of students they have to deal with remain Professor A. A. Kwapong (1966-1975) large. As we rationalise undergraduate programmes, would like to acknowledge the significant this should make it easier for us. contributions that my predecessors have put into that process over the last sixty- Itwo years. In my several conversations with From left, Chairman of Council, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor Mr. Chancellor, I also believe in interdisciplinary Professor Alex Kwapong over the years, I have come and Chief Justice Georgina Wood approaches to research. In our part of the world, to appreciate a lot the unwritten history of this research must be designed to solve different types great institution. It is he who has on a number of treatment of public universities. He responded to this of development problems. That is why I intend to occasions told me interesting stories about how as appropriate.” pursue the dream of setting up a functioning Institute Conor Cruise O’Brien managed this university in the of Applied Scientific Research that will have about early post-independence years, trying to bring it to Prof. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere (2002-2006) 200 research scientists from different disciplines levels comparable to those of some of the best British “He, as Vice-Chancellor focused on infrastructure and from different parts of Africa working to solve universities. Through these stories I have learned how development, a very important element in the history the transformational challenges of African industry. a good leader must remain steadfast to the principles of this university.” This will be an institute that can support many PhD The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aryeetey delivering his speech of the institution, even under trying circumstances. at the induction ceremony Professor Clifford Nii-Boi Tagoe (2006-2010) students in a few years.” Prof. Kwapong’s own exploits, first as a Pro Vice- The Vice-Chancellor singled out his immediate Chancellor and then as Vice-Chancellor remain predecessor, for special mention. legendary. I have learned from him how a Vice- Chancellor can make difficult students come to “He (Professor Tagoe) became Vice-Chancellor under appreciate authority without being an autocrat. He the most difficult of circumstances. The University Equal Opportunities For Men And Women has taught me how to manage academic staff with had been shaken by examination malpractices some of the biggest egos. Looking back, I now made possible by a breakdown in our examination believe that many of those conversations over a beer management system. This had occurred over several rofessor Ernest Aryeetey said that in a world or two, were part of his efforts to prepare me for this years. The crisis affected the governance structure of class university, men and women should have job, and I thank him for that.” the University as the University community became split on how to handle it. Cliff Tagoe emerged as Pequal opportunities to pursue their dreams and ambitions, and learn from each other. Prof. Daniel Adzei Bekoe (1976-1983) the leader of the team that had responsibility for “Prof. Adzei Bekoe became Vice-Chancellor just when managing the crisis and finding a way forward. Through him, the University invited a Visitation Panel the political landscape was becoming a lot more “That is why this university should have all of its to assist in the process of re-defining our mission difficult in the absence of democracy. His experiences and developing new procedures for doing business residential facilities as co-ed structures eventually. “ teach any new VC how to manage a university with that reflected the changing times. There is no doubt Acknowledging that the university has made rapidly declining resources.” that he has excelled in this mission and helped to considerable progress in the pursuit of gender parity stabilize this university in a significant way. For this, I in student numbers, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr (1985-1992) personally owe him a debt of gratitude.“ “Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr was Vice-Chancellor in a that the policy would continue, and the University period with still dwindling resources and a strong will seek to remove any remaining obstacles in the pressure from outside to reform the university system way of women seeking higher education. A captivated audience with Dr. Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, wife in Ghana. Managing strong external pressures and of Vice-Chancellor seated at the front row an academic community with entrenched positions on education policy was never going to be easy and offers useful lessons for current times.”

Prof. George Benneh (1992-1996) “Prof. George Benneh has been the ultimate diplomat in this rich history, struggling to stretch limited resources as far as possible, particularly in a new struggling democracy.”

Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah (1996-2002) “He became Vice-Chancellor not too long after Ghana reverted to constitutional rule and felt the tensions associated with the constitution and its Prof. C. N. B. Tagoe handing over to Prof. Ernest Aryeetey 2 A number of distinguished personalities were present 7

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Cont’d from page 3 Tightening the system of examinations: a shared value What is a are likely to have structures and characteristics that “I appreciate the effort made to tighten the system differentiate them from other universities. 1980s with the exit of lecturers to Nigeria and other of examinations and will look at ways in which this World Class • World class universities have a strong culture places, when this was convenient for us, and forgot can be tightened even further. But I must add that University? for learning as opposed to simply being to raise them again when times changed. these efforts will come to nought if the university’s institutions for providing degrees. stakeholders do not share similar values in terms of “ have not come across any serious definition of • They generally appeal to students from different Despite these difficult situations, I would like to argue what higher education and its examination systems what a world class university is. It is, however, parts of the world. Their degrees are respected in the whole world. that the University of Ghana is well placed to make are intended to achieve.” Ibecoming an increasingly standard practice to refer to Webometrics and look at the different league • They are more likely to develop courses and a come-back and become eventually a world class tables of the world’s universities to see how they are programmes that are dynamic and respond to university. The report of the Visitation Panel provides Responsibility of students regarded by their peers and by a wider society. Will changing times and societal circumstances. us with a huge new opportunity for setting higher “If students do not believe that cheating in examination is a horrible thing morally and legally, being among the top-ranked 500 universities make a • World class universities are more likely to protect standards. It provides suggestions for improving their rich histories by preserving structures and then all our efforts will be in vain.” university world-class? This will be a highly debatable governance systems in line with known practices in proposition, particularly since there are many aspects building on these over time. world class universities and indicates some of the • They pay a lot of attention to ethics in education. Responsibility of parents and guardians of university development that are not captured in practical steps we must take in order to get onto the • They tend to have higher standards set for “That is why it becomes the responsibility of parents these rankings. One must inevitably come to the path necessary to become a world class university.” students and faculty, and these are known and guardians to teach their children and wards that conclusion that, in addition to the various league tables of universities, a world class university is best and accepted by all. cheating in examinations is unacceptable behaviour. • World class universities do far more research than Other highlights It is not any less dishonourable than breaking into defined by the aspirations of the academics and their societies. others. another person’s home at night”. • They attach considerable importance to graduate Setting high standards for both faculty and students When the University of Ghana began, the aspiration training. “I believe strongly in the need to set high standards for Responsibility of the University • They have governance structures that have was generally to produce graduates who could both faculty and students. That is why I endorse fully “This University will devote time and resources to evolved slowly and survived the test of time. achieve the same degree of learning and knowledge all the steps taken by the university administration to inculcating in its students a new culture which says • Their faculty members publish in the best acquisition as they would have, had they gone restructure the course-credit system in line with the that acquiring degrees is not the same as being international journals in all disciplines. to university in places like Edinburgh, Newcastle, recommendations of Professor French.” learned. It is only ideal when the two go together.” • The faculty members of world class universities Birmingham, Manchester, Reading, etc. In exceptional are often able to work across disciplines. cases they could do as well as the students of • Students of world class universities have a culture Oxford and Cambridge Universities. That was the of learning and social interaction that sets them world class aspiration at the time.... There is a lot of apart from others. On Research and competition among universities and the departments of universities; and the competition is tied to the flow I have slowly come to the view that being world Graduate Studies of resources to universities and their departments. class is more a matter of the goals and ambitions of Higher ranked universities and departments attract a university community and its willingness to work more resources, both public and private. They also at all times towards higher standards. The standards “ am very committed to attract better students as well as better teachers. making this university may move higher and higher with time, but the a research university to stakeholders are not tempted to bring them down I As a result of these situations, world class universities for the sake of convenience.” support the process of structural transformation in Ghana and Africa. What this means is to Is the University of “ he University of Ghana already has a rich increase significantly the amount Ghana Well Placed to be a history, starting with its position as the and the quality of research being An attentive audience at the induction ceremony t oldest university in Ghana and as one of the done by the faculty and students Again, in line with the process about 500 students pursuing PhD best known in Africa. It has indeed produced some of the university. It also means World Class University? of enhancing research output, programmes in the social sciences. world class professionals over the years, and can be increasing the proportion of the proud of that. student population that is doing the demands on our staff and I will be seeking to achieve a graduate work. graduate students will rise system in which the allocation significantly. It is my intention to of university resources is driven It is generally acknowledged, however, that its prestige and image in the world and in Africa are We should step up graduate work with all faculties and colleges largely by the productivity of staff. lower than they used to be thirty years ago. Lesser admissions significantly, especially to set specific targets in terms of In principle, the departments that known universities have either caught up with it or it for new PhD programmes with graduate training and research do the most research and publish a restructuring of current MPhil output for specified periods. the most will have the most has failed to move as fast as some of its peers. While programmes in line with global resources. The hiring of staff will we may quibble about the appropriateness of world trends. This will be accompanied There is no reason why the number be motivated largely by the nature and regional rankings, the report of the Visitation by a continuing rationalisation of of graduate students completing of both the teaching and research Panel leaves us in no doubt that there is some way undergraduate programmes and their programmes should not rise programmes of the departments to go before we can be satisfied with ourselves. The student numbers to make the from 1,267 as at the end of 2009 and other institutions of the report demonstrates to us clearly how limited our most efficient of use of space and to more than 5000 within the next university. I shall be demanding aspirations and ambitions have been in the last two human resources. five years. This should include from each department/centre/ decades. We lowered standards considerably in the A former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. Adzei Bekoe (right) and wife, 6 Cont’d on page 7 Mrs. Ashia Bekoe and other guests at the ceremony Cont’d on page 6 3

4 5 August, 2010 August, 2010 Snap shots Snap shots from Induction from Induction Ceremony Ceremony

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