A two-day orientation programme was organized for newly appointed staff members of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra. The orientation programme was to ensure that newly appointed staff members familiarise themselves with the University’s operational ethics and other UniMAC staff members for harmonious working relationships.
Participants for the programme included the Pro-Vice chancellor, Prof. Winston Abrampa, Rectors of the Institutes of Journalism, Languages, Film and Television, newly appointed Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments.
Opening the two-day orientation programme, the Vice Chancellor of UniMAC, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah shared the vision of UniMAC and how his vision as Vice Chancellor correlates with the attainment of UniMAC’s vision. He rallied the new appointees to work together as a team to achieve the mandate of the University. He stated that, “without vision, people perish. UniMAC aims to create academic excellence, creativity & impact the Ghanaian society and beyond built on the foundations of a culture of service”.
Resource Persons for the orientation programme included individuals who have distinguished themselves in university operations and were well versed in the dynamics of running successful University administration. Day one saw Prof. Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson, a distinguished Legal Practitioner and the current Vice Chancellor of the Methodist University of Ghana, take participants through topics such as: University Statutes; Legal Framework and Key Regulations Governing University Operations; Labour Laws and Compliance in Higher Education; Understanding Ethical Challenges in University Administration among others. He urged participants to be intentional in their work and plan to the core for efficiency.
Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, the former first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) led discussions on the University’s Governance and Administrative Framework, Navigating the Merger – Challenges and Prospects and Understanding University Culture and Values, in the first session of Day two. She remarked that the dynamics of university operations have changed with the times. It was essential that the UniMAC team adapts a new culture of innovation and uniqueness to meet current trends.
Dr. Mrs. Victoria Mwinsumah Kunbour, the Registrar of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), also led participants through the Administrative Operations and Workflows for Rectors, Registrars, and Directors’. She outlined the roles and organizational structure of UniMAC, urging attendees to follow the hierarchy of operations for fluidity and excellence in their new responsibilities. She further emphasized the importance of optimizing human resource management for effective leadership.
An Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) expert at the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) Mr. Richard Ntim, addressed the importance of risk management systems in universities at the orientation. He explained the top risks confronting universities today and guided participants on how to examine risks in all activities to mitigate them. He indicated that, where there are no uncertainties, there are no risks.
Over the two-day programme, staff members got to work on case studies in groups, made presentations on group work and bonded for cordiality. It was exciting to see the old staff members reach out to new ones and to pledge commitment to achieving UniMAC’s vision.
At the end of the two-day session, the newly appointed staff members expressed gratitude for the knowledge acquired, the spirit de corps built among them as well as the determination to see UniMAC take its place as a Centre of Excellence in Ghana.
Closing the two-day orientation programme, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah, urged members to work as a team to see UniMAC’s vision fulfilled. He advised participants to take the knowledge shared over the period seriously as they begin a new career journey at UniMAC. He remarked that, “we have a solid team poised to take UniMAC to the next level and with the heights of passion and commitment demonstrated here, I have no doubt in my mind that UniMAC is on a trajectory to success”.
Noteworthily, UniMAC is a merger of the erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and the Ghana Institute of Languages by an Act of Parliament 2020 (Act 1059). The Act envisages a holding University with constituent Institutes with the power to award degrees of the holding University. UniMAC is uniquely positioned to deliver excellence in Media, Arts and Communications education at the tertiary level.
***End***