Let’s Work Together to Help UEW Prosper – Vice-Chancellor to Union Leaders
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, engaged in a productive interaction with the university's union leaders, encouraging them to collaborate with the university's Management in devising concrete strategies to guarantee the advancement of UEW.
The interaction, convened with the primary objective of providing the Vice-Chancellor with an official platform to introduce himself to union leaders, fostering an atmosphere conducive to open and candid dialogue, enhancing communication channels, and facilitating collaboration between the administration and the diverse union leaders, took place at the Council Chamber on North Campus, UEW.
At the familiarisation meeting, Prof. Mitchual passionately appealed to the leaders to lead their unions in a deliberate effort to help the university realise its goal of being an internationally reputable institution for teacher education and research.
Prof. Mitchual highlighted his commitment to the university's mission of providing quality education and contributing to national development. He stated, "I firmly believe that it is in our collective interest to restore a sense of stability and progress to this institution. My tenure as Vice-Chancellor will be characterised by open dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving”.
“UEW has a very bright future, and we are doing better than most of the institutions in Ghana. Colleagues, we have a responsibility, and our number one responsibility is to make UEW an internationally reputable institution for teacher education,” he stressed.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised his commitment to innovation, research, and academic excellence, as well as the importance of fostering a harmonious environment that encourages creativity and productivity, underscoring the need for teamwork as a university towards achieving the mission and vision of the university.
"It's essential that union leaders and management work together as a united front. Our shared goal is to see UEW flourish and become one of Ghana's premier institutions, an entirely achievable goal. Let's reflect on our origins and the significant sacrifices made by others to bring us to this point. Our mission goes beyond amassing wealth; it's about our collective contribution to society and making it better. We aspire to leave a legacy, ensuring that our stewardship is remembered for the positive impact we've had on our community,” he said.
Professor Mitchual earnestly implored the union leaders to align with the management in fostering a harmonious work environment. He recommended that they explore the possibility of allocating a portion of their union dues into ventures designed to enhance the financial well-being of their members. Additionally, he encouraged them to collaborate with industry experts, facilitating the exchange of business insights and opportunities for their constituents.
The national and local President of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), Dr. (Mrs.) Beth Offei-Awuku, speaking on behalf of the union leaders, assured the Vice-Chancellor and his management team of their cooperation to help make UEW a better place for all workers.
“We acknowledge that our university has faced challenges, and we are eager to collaborate with the new administration to find lasting solutions and to pursue our mission and vision with passion.
“What we have heard here will definitely be relayed to our members, and we will also put it into our action plans to make sure that everybody begins to think about how he or she can play his or her role in making UEW realise its dreams,” she pledged.
As the meeting drew to a close, Prof. Mitchual expressed his appreciation for the constructive and open exchange of ideas. He stated, "I believe in the potential of this great institution and the dedication of its staff. Together, we can overcome the challenges that have plagued us in recent years".
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by members of the Management team comprising the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Antwi; the Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah; the Finance Officer, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie; the Principal, College of Languages Education, Prof. Dominic K. Danso Mensah; and the Principal of the College for Distance and e-Learning (CODeL), UEW, Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku. These Principal Officers contributed to the interactions at various points.
