UPSA 2019 VICE-CHANCELLOR PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO FIVE CORPORATE INSTITUTIONS
UPSA 2019 VICE-CHANCELLOR PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO FIVE CORPORATE INSTITUTIONS
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey on Thursday, November 7, paid a working visit to some five public and private corporate institutions as part of effort geared towards building and deepening the University’s relationship with the corporate world.
The visit, which was to solicit business partnership with the various companies for mutual benefit, also offered the opportunity for the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) to ‘showcase’ the Vice-Chancellor to the business community after he emerged the ‘Marketing Man of the Year’ 2018 at the 30thCIMG National Marketing Performance Awards.
The companies visited included Ecobank Ghana, Vanguard Insurance Limited, SIC Life Company Limited, Japan Motors and the Ghana News Agency.
Prof Okoe Amartey in his encounter with the heads of the various institutions outlined his vision of turning the UPSA into a world-class university which is relevant to society through the delivery of social initiative and interventions.
He said the University through its Community Action Initiative has introduced the Vice-Chancellor Endowment Fund (VCEF), a scholarship scheme for brilliant but financially challenged students; Free Vacation Classes for Senior High students living within the University’s catchment area; and will soon roll out an Adult Education programme aimed at schooling petty traders and vendors on basic book-keeping techniques, marketing, branding and customer service.
To achieve these social interventions, Prof Amartey said it was imperative for the University to partner these corporate bodies. He, therefore, called on other philanthropic agencies and individuals to come on board.
The first place of call was at the Ghana News Agency (GNA). The team was met by the General Manager, Albert Kofi Owusu, who renewed his outfit’s commitment to supporting the University.
Mr Owusu said the GNA and UPSA have enjoyed a congenial relationship over the years and looks forward to entrenching that bond to the mutual benefit of both parties.
At the SIC Life head office, the Managing Director, Mrs Elizabeth Wyns-Dogbe, noted that both UPSA and SIC Life share a lot in common. She said the two institutions have defied the usual misconception held about public institutions.
Mrs Wyns-Dogbe added that the successes chalked by the two state-owned agencies over the years is an attestation that public sector firms can be competitive when given the ‘freedom’ and human capital to operate.
She also said her outfit is looking forward to partnering the University to empower the youth through the provision of higher education for the marginalized in society.
The next destination was at the Ecobank Ghana office in Accra. The team was received by the Regional Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing (for Ghana & Anglophone West Africa), Rita Aba Tsegah, who after lauding the Vice-Chancellor for his remarkable initiatives, committed to supporting the VCEF.
She said the VCEF initiative resonates with Ecobank’s commitment to improving access to education for the indigent in society.
The CEO of Vanguard Insurance, Daniel Awuah Darko, upon arrival of the Vice-Chancellor and his entourage, welcomed them with a brief approbation of how the University has transformed under leadership of Prof Amartey and his predecessor.
He said the success story of UPSA needs to emulated by all public sector organisations. He further added that his company is ever-ready to support the University realize its set goals.
The final destination for the team was the Japan Motors Company Limited. The Managing Director, Salem Kalmoni, who could not hide his joy for the visit, extoled the University for introducing the ‘dual qualification’ policy and for churning out student professionals who are market ready.
He said his outfit have over the years relied and continue to rely on students from the UPSA.
“At the moment there are about eight staff working here who came through UPSA and I must say they have been efficient and professional in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
On sponsorship, Mr Kalmoni said Japan Motors welcomes the decision by the University to offer free vacation classes for SHS graduates and will give it the needed the assistance for the programme to be sustained.
Other members of Vice-Chancellor’s entourage included: Alhaji Dr Seidu Mustapha (Registrar of the University), Mr Kwabena Agyekum (Executive Director, CIMG); Dr Albert Martins (Director, Business Development Centre) and Dr Koryoe Wright (Acting Dean, Centre for International Education and Collaboration).
The rest were Dr Andrew Akolaa (Head, Department of Marketing) and Mr Francis Dadzie (Board member, VCEF).
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