Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education
The Provost of the College of Education, University of Ghana, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, has reaffirmed the College's commitment to addressing the needs of Master's students in a virtual end-of-year interaction. The session, designed to provide a platform for dialogue, covered critical issues affecting their academic experience, including access to resources, scholarships, professional development opportunities and work-life balance.
In his opening remarks, Professor Codjoe highlighted ongoing efforts to address the lack of dedicated spaces for postgraduate students. He disclosed plans to establish a PhD room, prioritising doctoral students' needs for a dedicated space for academic discussions. He acknowledged the broader issue of space limitations within the College. "It amazes me how PhD candidates attend lectures without having a dedicated space for academic discussions. We are working hard to address these issues," he said.
The Provost assured the students that after addressing the immediate needs of PhD students, considerations would be made for similar facilities for Master's students. On scholarship opportunities, the Provost disclosed that the College was finalising processes to roll out its first scholarship scheme, with calls for applications expected to be advertised soon. He encouraged Master's students, that despite their relatively short duration of study on campus, they should monitor the University's and College's websites for updates as well as their students' emails. "Even if you are here for just a year, there will be opportunities to benefit from the scholarship scheme, which will definitely cushion you in your academic journey," Prof. Codjoe assured.
Addressing the unique challenges faced by working students, Professor Codjoe encouraged them to put in their very best. He added that he would further engage Heads of Departments on a discussion about the feasibility of flexible arrangements to accommodate the schedules of working students. He noted the importance of balancing work and academics while urging students to remain committed to their studies.
The Provost also revealed a recent partnership between the College and IPMC, aimed at providing students with internship and employment opportunities. He described the agreement as a key step in supporting students' professional growth and pledged that all opportunities would be widely advertised through traditional channels and relevant platforms.
In response to questions regarding the Vice-Chancellor's One Student, One Laptop initiative (1S1L), the Provost revealed that the College had donated 15 laptops in support the initiative. While these laptops are routed through the Vice-Chancellor's initiative, Professor Codjoe assured students that efforts are in place to prioritise beneficiaries from the College. "Familiarise yourself with the application process under the 1S1L initiative. We believe students from our College will benefit once the allocations are made," he urged the students.
Reflecting on the importance of regular engagement, Professor Codjoe promised to have regular interactions with Master's students, noting that such sessions had previously focused on PhD candidates. "We will have this on our calendar to engage Master's students more regularly. These sessions will provide insights into the initiatives happening in the College, to take advantage of some of these initiatives and ensure you leave the University with a fulfilling experience," he said.
In his closing remarks, Professor Codjoe encouraged students to continue excelling in their academic pursuits and reaffirmed his availability for further discussions. He wished them well in their studies. The session ended with expressions of gratitude from students for the opportunity to interact with the Provost and gain insights into ongoing initiatives.