August, 2010 Internationalization “ r. Chancellor, 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 Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, U.S.A., U.K. and many other places decide to come to the University of Ghana 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, Professor of Economics has been regarded internationally.” inducted into Office as the new Vice-Chancellor Professor Ernest Aryeetey - Vice-Chancellor Eof the University of Ghana. 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 Ltd. of the University of Ghana. Former President John LYNX Kufuor was among the dignitaries who witnessed media 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 8 1 August, 2010 August, 2010 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 2 7 August, 2010 August, 2010 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.