African Universities urged to share ideas and expertise

Winneba (C/R) Jan. 22, GNA - Dr. John S. Rowett, Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), on Friday urged African universities to exchange programmes in order to share ideas and expertise to enhance rapid development.

Dr. Rowett was addressing a meeting with the authorities of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), during his five-day visit to the country.

His visit was to enable him know the areas the ACU could assist the University to overcome some of its problems.

Professor Jophus Anamuah Mensah, Vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Jonas Akpanglo-Nartey, Pro-Vice-chancellor, Mr. Christopher Mensah, Acting Registrar and Mr. Benjamin Kpodo, Finance Officer, attended the meeting.

Professor Anamuah Mensah, briefing the Secretary General on the history, functions and programmes of the UEW, said that the University being the only one in the sub region responsible for the training of teachers of all categories, had drawn a corporate strategic plan that would direct it programme and activities for the next four years.

Professor Anamuah Mensah told Mr. Rowett that the University had a task ahead to train more teachers to fill all classrooms, which were currently without teachers, especially in the rural areas, adding that about 20 percent of children of school going age were out of school due to the absence of structures and teachers.

Professor Anamuah Mensah said the University was currently offering a distance learning education programme for about 7000 teachers to enable them to receive university education.

He mentioned printing of materials as a major problem facing the programme and said that the university authorities intended to introduce radio to communicate to learners.

According to the Vice-chancellor the university had a major role to play to meet the UN convention that every child of school going age should be in school.

"Despite the massive assistance given by the government under the GETFund for the provision of structures, a lot more assistance is needed to expand existing structure to meet the number of students wishing to receive university education" he said.

Dr. Rowett told the authorities that a database programme would be sent to the University to select its priorities for the ACU to see how best it could assist the University Professor Anamuah Mensah later decorated the Secretary General with the University's Muffler.