Presbyterian University College (original) (raw)

The Presbyterian University College is located in Ghana, West Africa. According to the Presbyterian church history, in 1843, the church established the first primary school in Ghana. Five years later, The Presbyterian Training College (PTC) at Akropong, Ghana was established to become the second higher education institution in West Africa after Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone. Since those early beginnings, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has established and managed in partnership with the Government of Ghana, hundred of Primary and Secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Institutions and Teacher Training Colleges.

The Vision

The vision of The Presbyterian University College is envisage as an institution that blend academic and professional excellence with an appreciation of cultural, technological, environment and globalization trends in the men and women who pass through it and whose lives reflect Christian principles and values, including love and compassion, honesty, selflessness and humility

The Concept

The Presbyterian University College is conceived as a respond to the challenge present by the high demand for student admission in Ghanaian Universities (low access), the perceived lowering of academic standards and the erosion of moral and ethical values in the society. The University is open to all students and staff without discrimination on the basis of religion, race, ethnic origin or gender.

Introduction

The University College was opened at the time when university education in Ghana was facing many challenges in terms of funding, quality and access. It has also come at the time when there is so much concern about indiscipline in the society. Not only that the university is geared to train academicians, but also to train African future leaders who will lean the continents leaders for the 21st century.

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, as the pioneers of education in Ghana has established several schools in Ghana as God given duty to equal education to all. It is with the same concept that is behind the establishment of this university. It is a fee-paying institution, with a mechanism to promote sponsorship for needy students.

The College opened its doors to the first students of 55 on 23rd November 2003 for the two initial programmes of ICT and Business Administration. This was the culmination of a year of hard work to get facilities ready and to obtain accreditation. The official opening and induction of the first Principal of the College were performed by the then Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana assisted by the Clerk of the General Assembly. The President of the Republic of Ghana was present. The occasion was a big gathering and people from all walks of life were present. That day the President commissioned the Ghana Telecom Telephone system which had been constructed at the bidding of the President for the benefit of the University and the Community at large.

Campuses

As already stated the University is planned to have three (3) campuses. These are the Okwahu Campus at Abetifi, the Akuapem Campus at Akropong and the Asante Akyem Campus at Agogo. These locations are all strongholds of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. They lie on the hills and consequently have mild tropical climate. They are free from many distractions; the conditions are conducive to academic work The University Project is being executed in accordance with the University Strategic Plan. Delays in making progress in our activities have been largely due to funding constraints. Work is about 70% completed at the Akuapem Campus. Fund raising activities by the Local Implementation Committee and help from the Church have provided funds for renovations and other works at the Salem compound and these works are almost completed. The furniture required for the Lecture Rooms, Computer room and Library, Computers and equipment for staff and students are yet to be provided. If all goes well and the funding situation improves the Akuapem Campus will be the second to be opened.

Work is also progressing at the Asante-Akyem Campus but more work needs to be carried out before the Campus can be opened. The Asante-Akyem Campus has a potential for major income generation since the Campus, using the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital as a teaching hospital, will mount demand driven programmes in Nursing, Optometry, Medicine and other Health Programmes. The Local Implementation Committee (backed by the Church) is working gradually to establish the Campus. There is however a good case for commencing the Degree Nursing soon. There is already a reputable Nursing Training College in place at the hospital whose facilities may be used. Discussions with the hospital authorities indicate that only some minimal inputs and adjustments, and beefing up the teaching staff are required to start this fee paying programme. The National Accreditation Board recognizes this potential.

Academic Programmes

Okwahu Campus

The following degree programmes are already being run:

The following will be added in due course:

Akuapem Campus

The proposed initial degree programmes are as follows:

The following will be added a year after commencement:

Asante-Akyem Campus

The following degree programmes have been planned for the Campus:

Student Enrolment

It is envisaged that the population of the College will rise to almost 2000 students in the next four (4) years.

Okwahu Campus

Akuapem Campus

Asante-Akyem Campus

Funding

The Church has to be commended for mobilising enough financial resources to ensure the opening of the University. For the past year, the funding has become irregular and is fast dwindling. This is more serious at this critical period of the growth of the university. It is obvious that the change in the policy of the Church on contributions from the congregations from 30% to 5% is the main cause of this situation. Therefore, the Church needs to revisit its strategy for funding the University, at least for the next 5 years.

In the long term the College expects to depend less on the Church but more on income from fees, income generation and other fund raising activities for its recurrent expenditure and eventually be able to tackle some infrastructure development. Admitting more students should make this possible. In the short term, some critical needs must be met. The College is therefore appealing to all well wishers around the world to provide any form of assistance to the university.