ACCRA — The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, has begun his tenure with a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening the University’s relationship with major institutions responsible for education policy, regulation and university leadership in Ghana.

The visits took the UDS delegation to the Ministry of Education, the Secretariat of Vice-Chancellors Ghana and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission. They provided an important platform for the new Vice-Chancellor to formally introduce himself, outline his vision for the University and seek stronger institutional partnerships for the next phase of UDS’s development.

Prof. Iddrisu was accompanied by the Registrar, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, and the Director of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Hardi Shaibu.

Ministry of Education Assures UDS of Support

At the Ministry of Education, the delegation was received by the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, together with some directors and senior officials of the Ministry.

Prof. Iddrisu explained that the visit was intended to formally introduce himself to the Minister following his assumption of office and to present some of the priority projects and programmes he intends to pursue.

“This visit is not merely ceremonial. It is an opportunity for us to strengthen the partnership between the University and the Ministry as we begin a new chapter in the life of UDS,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He noted that although UDS had made significant progress in teaching, research, community engagement, infrastructure and programme development, additional support would be required to address existing challenges and implement the ambitious plans outlined by his administration.

“We have a clear vision for the University, but the successful implementation of that vision will require the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders,” Prof. Iddrisu stated.

He appealed for the Ministry’s assistance in expanding academic infrastructure, improving facilities across the University’s campuses and creating an enabling environment for the introduction of innovative programmes that respond to Ghana’s development needs.

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu congratulated Prof. Iddrisu on his appointment and assured him of the Ministry’s readiness to support his administration.

“Your appointment comes with enormous responsibility, but it also presents an opportunity to build upon the strong foundation established by your predecessors,” the Minister said. “The Ministry will work closely with you to ensure that UDS continues to fulfil its unique national mandate.”

The Minister expressed particular interest in the development of the University’s Yendi Campus. He indicated that the Ministry would support efforts to develop the campus in honour of the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, who provided a large parcel of land to the University in Yendi.

“The development of the Yendi Campus will be a fitting tribute to the late Overlord’s vision, generosity and commitment to education,” Hon. Iddrisu said.

He added that establishing a strong UDS presence in Yendi would not only preserve the legacy of the late Ya-Na but also expand access to tertiary education and stimulate socioeconomic development in the Eastern Corridor of the Northern Region.

Prof. Iddrisu expressed the University’s appreciation for the assurance and pledged that any support received would be used prudently to advance the University’s academic and developmental mandate.

UDS Reaffirms Commitment to Vice-Chancellors Ghana

The delegation also visited the Secretariat of Vice-Chancellors Ghana, where it was received by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo-Freiku.

Dr. Kpeglo-Freiku congratulated Prof. Iddrisu and welcomed him into the fraternity of vice-chancellors of Ghana’s public universities.

She observed that UDS had remained an active and influential member of Vice-Chancellors Ghana and had contributed significantly to the organisation’s discussions, initiatives and advocacy activities.

“UDS has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the work of Vice-Chancellors Ghana,” she said. “We therefore encourage you to continue from where your predecessor, Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan, left off and to bring your own experience and ideas to bear on the work of the organisation.”

Dr. Kpeglo-Freiku explained that the strength of Vice-Chancellors Ghana depended largely on the active participation and collective leadership of its member institutions, particularly at a time when public universities were confronting challenges relating to funding, infrastructure, staff welfare, technology and increasing student enrolment.

Prof. Iddrisu thanked the Executive Secretary for the warm reception and pledged his full commitment to the activities of Vice-Chancellors Ghana.

“UDS will continue to be an active and dependable member of this important body,” he said. “I look forward to working with my colleague vice-chancellors to make Vice-Chancellors Ghana even more vibrant, responsive and influential.”

He stressed that closer collaboration among universities was essential to improving tertiary education in Ghana.
“The challenges confronting our universities are interconnected. We must therefore share ideas, learn from one another and collectively engage government and other stakeholders in finding lasting solutions,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

He also called for increased collaboration in research, staff development, resource mobilisation, innovation and the sharing of best practices among member universities.

GTEC Urges New Vice-Chancellor to Build on UDS’s Strong Foundation

At the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the UDS delegation was received by the Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and other senior officials of the Commission.

Prof. Abdulai congratulated the new Vice-Chancellor and wished him a successful tenure. He acknowledged the progress UDS had made over the years and encouraged the new administration to consolidate those gains.

“UDS has established itself as an important institution within Ghana’s tertiary education landscape,” the Director-General said. “Your responsibility is to continue the good work of your predecessor and, wherever possible, improve upon the high standards that have already been set.”

He urged the University to remain committed to academic quality, regulatory compliance, sound governance and the development of programmes that respond to national priorities and labour-market needs.

Prof. Abdulai further underscored the importance of maintaining effective internal quality-assurance systems to ensure that academic programmes, teaching methods and assessment practices consistently met the required standards.

Prof. Iddrisu thanked the Director-General for the encouragement and assured him that his administration would maintain a constructive and transparent relationship with the Commission.

“Quality must remain at the centre of everything we do as a university,” the Vice-Chancellor said. “We will continue to engage GTEC at every necessary stage to ensure that our existing and proposed programmes meet the highest academic and regulatory standards.”

He appealed for closer collaboration between the University and the Commission, particularly in programme accreditation, institutional development, quality assurance and the introduction of new academic programmes.

The Vice-Chancellor said UDS regarded GTEC not merely as a regulator but also as an important partner in the pursuit of excellence in tertiary education.

Building Partnerships for a New Chapter

The engagements mark an important beginning for the administration of Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu and demonstrate his commitment to building partnerships around the University’s development agenda.

By engaging the Ministry of Education, Vice-Chancellors Ghana and GTEC early in his tenure, the Vice-Chancellor has opened channels for policy support, regulatory cooperation, institutional advocacy and inter-university collaboration.

The visits are also expected to strengthen the University’s efforts to mobilise resources, expand infrastructure, develop the Yendi Campus, introduce relevant academic programmes and enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research.

For UDS, the engagements represent more than formal introductions. They signal the beginning of a deliberate effort to position the University at the centre of national conversations on access, quality, innovation and the future of tertiary education in Ghana.

As Prof. Iddrisu begins his tenure, the assurances received from the three institutions provide a strong foundation for a leadership agenda anchored in collaboration, institutional growth and the continued advancement of the University’s enduring philosophy of Knowledge for Service.

Story by
Michael Ansa
UDS Liaison Office