Prof. Okoe Amartey takes over as UPSA’s VC

The newly inducted Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, has outlined a four-pronged strategic vision to transform the university into a world-class professional institution.

The strategic goals are to enhance the institutional image and environment, improve institutional effectiveness, promote research enterprise and compete in the global environment of higher education.

Prof. Amartey said he would build on the solid foundation laid down by his immediate past predecessor, Prof. Joshua Alabi, who had improved infrastructure and the academic standing of the UPSA.

Some of the invited guests including (right) Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah of the Royalhouse Chapel (middle), Professor Goski Alabi of UPSA (left), Mrs Rhodalene Amartey, wife of Professor Amartey. PICTURES: MAXWELL OCLOO

He made these comments on Thursday after his induction as the vice chancellor of the UPSA at the university campus in Accra.

Handover

In a moving manner, Prof. Alabi, who was the Rector between 2009 and 2012 and vice chancellor from 2012 to 2016, handed over the notes of office to Prof. Amartey.

Prof. Joshua Alabi, outgoing Vice Chancellor UPSA 

Thereafter, the Chancellor of the UPSA, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, administered the Oath of Office to Prof. Amartey at a ceremony witnessed by faculty members, ministers of state, Members of Parliament MPs, traditional and religious leaders, students, family members and friends of the new vice chancellor.

Background

Prof. Amartey holds a doctorate degree from the SMC University in Switzerland; a Master of Business Administration (Marketing option), a Master of Philosophy in Marketing, both from the University of Ghana Business School, and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics major) from the University of Ghana.

He joined UPSA 10 years ago as a lecturer in the Department of Marketing. He rose through the ranks to become the pro-vice chancellor, a position he held until his appointment as the vice chancellor on August 25, 2016.

Strategic goals

Prof. Amartey said one of the strategies was to continue to meet industry needs through the design and pursuit of demand-driven programmes.

“Ongoing infrastructure would be completed to create a serene learning environment, well organised, appealing and conducive to teaching and learning”, he added.

“We are noted for thinking outside the box and this will continue to be the hallmark. To this end, we will continue to meet industry needs through the design and pursuit of demand-driven programmes,” he said.

Prof. Amartey said UPSA would also leverage on information and communications technology (ICT) to improve the quality of academic delivery.

“To this end, the Information Services and Technology Directorate (ISTD) and Quality Assurance Directorate will be mandated to ensure the continual development and usage of the UPSA Learning Management System (LMS) by all faculty members,” he said.

On research promotion, Prof. Amartey said his team would launch the UPSA research policy document in a few weeks, indicating that he would enforce policies on publication, contract appointment and publish list of prescribed journals for faculty publications.

“The academic dictum ‘publish or perish’ mantra will not just be a cliché but a transforming agenda to be vigorously pursued,” he said.

Prof. Amartey added that UPSA would build on its membership of the prestigious Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programmes (ACBSP) and seek membership with other international associations and accreditation bodies.

Prof. Alabi

Prof. Alabi expressed the excitement that UPSA had grown over the years to become a pre-eminent applied university, which uniquely blended scholarship with professionalism with many of its alumni occupying key positions in Ghana and abroad.

He thanked the council, management and staff of the university for the energy and enthusiasm with which they supported the transformation of the institution.

He particularly thanked the students for their financial contribution towards the infrastructure development of the university and noted their self-help initiative to contribute GH¢10 each to start the hostel project.

Prof. Alabi thanked the collaborators of the university, especially Access Bank, for funding most of the infrastructural projects on the campus.

He was proud to be leaving behind cash of about GH¢16 million at the bank and expressed confidence in Prof. Amartey in continuing the solid foundations that had been laid.