The Governing Council of the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC) has invested Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah as its second Vice-Chancellor at a colourful event held at the Auditorium of UniMAC’s South Legon Campus.
UniMAC is entering a new era since the appointment of Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah as its second Vice-Chancellor. He succeeded Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, the first Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, who retired earlier in 2024. Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah served as an Acting Vice-Chancellor from February 8, 2024, until his official appointment on May 13, 2024.
In his address, the Council Chair, Emeritus Professor Kwesi Yankah had this to say: “This milestone marks not only a new chapter in UniMAC’s journey but also a celebration of leadership, vision and excellence. Professor Opoku Mensah’s appointment reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing the university’s mission and his dedication to fostering a culture of academic and institutional excellence. It is both an honour and a privilege to be part of this historic occasion.”
The Investiture ceremony saw Prof. Opoku Mensah take the oath of office and secrecy, administered by the Council Chair of UniMAC and swore before all gathered to dedicate himself to the service and wellbeing of UniMAC.
The ceremony also afforded UniMAC the opportunity to introduce the Vice-Chancellor to the UniMAC community and the public. Several notable figures across the board of academia were in attendance. Invited guests also included person from the media, arts and communication industry, institutional partners and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Old school mates, friends and family of Prof. Opoku Mensah were present to offer goodwill messages, congratulations and best wishes in his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC.
As Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Opoku Mensah has led UniMAC on a trajectory of change. He has worked on facelifting the South Legon Campus to the status befitting a Higher Education Institution, completed and promulgated the University Statute by the UniMAC’s Council, negotiated Conditions of Service of academic Senior Members; inaugurated a Health Policy for UniMAC, appointed the first Pro Vice-Chancellor for the University, appointed three (3) substantive Rectors for the Constituent Institutes and has appointed all substantive Administrative Directors of the University, among others.
Talking about his vision for UniMAC at the Investiture ceremony, Prof. Opoku Mensah stated that, “UniMAC is the place where dreams take flight and creativity, innovation, and academic excellence converge. My vision is to transform key stakeholders’ experience of UniMAC. I am committed to enhancing student life, our state-of-the-art facilities, and pushing the frontiers of innovative research to help solve the numerous challenges facing the Media, Arts and Communication industry.”
Additionally, Prof. Opoku Mensah emphasized the point that UniMAC’s is to become a leading institution in media, arts, and communication by saying that, “Underpinning my vision is a burning passion for UniMAC to be synchronizing our curriculum in media, arts and communication with 21st century skills which encompass Artificial Intelligence. In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining eminence. We must embrace the transforming power of AI to teach our students to use AI for good and guide them to use AI to deliver relevant information that promotes, protects and builds rather than destroy.”
The University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC) was established as a result of a merger between three renowned institutions: the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ); the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL); and the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI). UniMAC has gone through a transition phase and is now poised for taking media, arts and communication education to the next level.
***End***