The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey on Thursday, November 7, concluded a one-day working visit to some public and private corporate institutions.
The visits were part of moves geared towards building and deepening the University’s relationship with the corporate world through partnership for the mutual benefit of all.
It 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 30th CIMG 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 for the University which he says was to transform it into a world-class university.
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.
