Legon distance learning programme ready for take off

Nov 11,2007

Story: Kate Baaba Hudson


AN opportunity for a distance learning programme for all, irrespective of geographical location, is ready to take off at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Over 2,000 forms had been returned by the close of the application period, and later this month its Centre for Distance Education will admit students to degree programmes for the 2007/2008 academic year.
The first two programmes being offered are the Bachelor of Arts in Administration and the Bachelor of Science in Administration.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. C.N.B. Tagoe, said this at the 2007 congregation of the University at Legon at the week-end, and that with the encouraging response to the programme, the university expected to offer education to a large number of students who otherwise would have been unable to have the opportunity for further education.
Prof. Tagoe disclosed that in conjunction with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the University was running Master of Philosophy programmes in Nuclear and Alied Sciences.
He noted that plans were far advanced to establish Schools of Pharmacy and Verterinary Medicine at the University, and that accreditation processes had been initiated and it was hoped that students would be admitted into the programmes from the 2008/2009 academic year.
The Vice Chancellor said last year the University Council approved the establishment of a Centre for Migration Studies with the remit to strengthen the capacity of the university to contribute to and and influence the understanding of and approach to migration issues in Ghana.
He said the centre was formally launched last week, and was receiving support from the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) to the tune of 1.5 million Euros.
The United Nations Development programme (UNDP) has also contributed $150,000.00 towards the first year budget of the centre, with the promise of further contribution for another four years.
Prof. Tagoe further disclosed that in collaboration with Cornell University in the United States of America (USA) and with funding from the Rockefeller and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, a Centre for Crop Improvement was being set up at the university.
In all, 1,678 students graduated at the congregation. They were made up of 116 diplomates, 1,088 undergraduates and 474 postgraduates, the Vice Chancellor announced, adding that the postgraduates included nine Doctor of Philosophy graduands, some of whom were members of their faculty.
Prof. Tagoe said 16 per cent of the diplomates abtained distinctions, while for the undergraduates, 15 per cent obtained first class , 26 per cent second class upper and 51 per cent second class lower .