UEW Orients National Service Personnel for the 2025/2026 Service Year

Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Steve van Kamassah, Deputy Registrar at the Division of Publications and Communication, emphasised that national service at UEW should not be seen merely as a statutory requirement but as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth. He noted that the University prides itself on training competent professional teachers, conducting impactful research and contributing to national development.

Mr. Kamassah urged the personnel to embrace punctuality, reliability and adherence to institutional procedures. He stressed that time management remains critical to operational efficiency. He further encouraged them to uphold integrity and professional etiquette, noting that as representatives of the University, their conduct both within and outside the campus reflects directly on the institution.

He highlighted continuous learning as a key principle. He urged personnel to take advantage of mentorship opportunities to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical workplace experience.

As part of the orientation, Ms. Vida Dare, Senior Assistant Registrar at the Division of Human Resource, delivered a presentation on customer service and the role of national service personnel. She underscored the importance of attitude in service delivery, explaining that customer service fundamentally revolves around how individuals treat others. She identified students, staff and visitors as key stakeholders of the University and urged personnel to treat them with respect, empathy and professionalism.

Ms. Vida Dare emphasised effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal as essential to good customer service. She encouraged participants to listen attentively, remain calm in difficult situations and avoid confrontational behaviour.

Highlighting the “four-step method” of handling complaints, listening, empathising, responding and following up, she advised personnel to adopt a solution-oriented approach when dealing with concerns. She further urged them to demonstrate discipline, punctuality, presentability and a positive attitude while avoiding unprofessional practices such as gossip, truancy and dismissiveness.

Ms. Rebecca Tachie-Menson, Head of the Employee Relations Office, outlined the expectations and responsibilities of national service personnel within the University. She noted that while personnel are assigned to support administrative and academic functions, they must strictly adhere to both the National Service Scheme regulations and UEW’s institutional policies.

She clarified that service personnel are expected to assist in routine administrative duties such as filing, drafting correspondence and supporting departmental activities as well as aiding lecturers in teaching-related tasks such as setting up learning materials and facilitating tutorials. However, she cautioned that they are not to assume full responsibilities of staff including teaching courses independently, marking examination scripts, entering student grades or handling confidential documents without supervision.

Ms. Rebecca Tachie-Menson also warned against personnel engaging in unauthorised activities such as holding additional employment, enrolling in academic programmes during the service period or misrepresenting themselves as permanent staff of the University. She stressed that non-compliance with these regulations could lead to severe consequences including the forfeiture of national service certificates.

Mr. Reginald S. K. Agbo, Deputy Registrar at the Division of Human Resource, reiterated the importance of the orientation in shaping the work attitudes of service personnel. He encouraged them to focus on skill acquisition rather than financial expectations. He described the service period as a critical phase for learning workplace ethics and professionalism.

Mr. Agbo assured participants that Management remains committed to addressing their concerns and improving their experience at the University. He emphasised the importance of adhering to established guidelines, noting that ignorance of the rules does not exempt individuals from accountability. He further advised personnel to utilise appropriate communication channels, particularly the Employee Relations Office when faced with challenges.

He urged the service personnel to make the most of their time at UEW by building relevant skills, maintaining positive work ethics and contributing meaningfully to the University community.

The orientation ended with a renewed sense of purpose among participants, as they were encouraged to leave a legacy of excellence, dedication and professionalism during their service at UEW.