By Mabel Esinam Awagah and Jacqueline Emefa Ampo.
The University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA), has officially sworn in Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor as its new Vice-Chancellor. During the ceremony, Professor Mawutor assured students that his administration would focus on equipping them with employable skills that promote self-employment and enhance their relevance in the world. He also noted that with integrity, excellence, and determination, Ghana can work towards overcoming the difficulties of unemployment.
In his maiden address, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor drummed home the essence of creating ready students for the job market. He said promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among students before graduation is one of his primary goals for fostering economic growth. The new UPSA Vice-Chancelor said out of 200,000 graduates from Universities in Ghana, only 10% secure jobs within a year after graduation. This he noted gives a bleak picture for employment, thus his quest to resource UPSA students to be job creators. Professor Mawutor said his tenure will build on the existing initiatives established by his predecessors by introducing innovative methods to equip students with the requisite knowledge. He emphasized that his office will leverage information Technology to ensure that students are well-prepared before exiting the University.
“We will work tiredly to ensure that students get the needed resources and support to reach their full potential. For our faculty and staff, it is your dedication and expertise which is the foundation of the university and so I look forward to working and supporting you to grow the fortunes of the university.
“As an institution of reach, we pledge to work with the new government to achieve its objective. We also pledge to produce graduates with employable skills that will be relevant to the country.”
“My strategic focus on IT is outlined as follows. Students should learn in a very, very, very, very conducive environment, and also upgrade the UPSA learning management system. This morning, I want to pledge that UPSA will leverage IT and make sure that any student who steps here will not leave here without learning how to code.”
“According to data, out of 200,000 graduate journals by every university in Ghana, only 10% can find jobs within a year after graduation. Unfortunately, the remaining 90% continue to completely worsen the unemployment statistics in Ghana.
“Data also revealed that lack of adequate entrepreneurial skill in the concentration of most universities and other skill-based institutional curricula. As a University, the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation among students before graduation is crucial for fostering economic growth.
“To address this, Chairman, UPSA has already established a Center for Entrepreneurial Development for Students, giving me this opportunity to serve this university in my capacity as a Vice-Chancellor. I would announce the existing center by introducing some innovative methods”. He stated
Present at the swearing-in ceremony were His wife and children, Deputy Minister of Education, John Ntim Fordjour, Chairman of UPSA Council, Dr Kofi Hene Konadu, outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, clergy, traditional leaders, staff of the university and other dignitaries.
