By
Afedzi Abdullah, GNA
Cape Coast, Feb.22,
GNA – Right Reverend Professor Joshua Danso Owusu-Sekyere has been inducted as
the Vice Chancellor of the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), pledging to
provide quality leadership to make the University a centre of academic and technological
excellence.
The colourful but
solemn ceremony brought together academics, diplomats, government officials,
traditional rulers, family members, friends and students of the University.
Professor
Owusu-Sekyere replaces Prof Osei-Wusu Achaw who occupied the position in acting
capacity.
Reverend Prof Harold
Amonoo-Kuofi, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the CCTU, administered
the Oath of Office to the Vice Chancellor and admonished him to allow the
Council and the Academic Board to function well.
Prof Owusu-Sekyere
indicated that his vision was to make the University a leading, innovative and
entrepreneurial technical university in Ghana with local, national and global
influence.
He outlined some of
his vision to include promoting sustainable academic and industrial
collaboration, a state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure to allow for the adoption
of innovative practices and project the university as a partner in development.
He spoke about his
mission to produce critical thinkers, innovative, entrepreneurial, and goal
oriented graduates to provide solutions to local, national and global
challenges.
Prof Owusu-Sekyere
said he would make research and publication a central part of the University,
give prominence to staff development and advocate for infrastructural
development.
“One of the things I
want CCTU to be recognised for is its entrepreneurial acumen. Apart from our
niche area, which is Renewable Energy, what will distinguish us from other
technical universities, therefore, will have to be entrepreneurial culture,”
the Vice Chancellor stated.
With a niche in
renewable energy, he said the University was making frantic effort to set up a
renewable energy village and called for support from stakeholders to make that
a reality.
He promised to be
transparent and work towards establishing a people centred administration to
give more confidence to staff and called on the Head of the Academic Department
to provide excellent academic leadership.
Prof Owusu-Sekyere
expressed gratitude to the University Governing Council for the confidence
reposed in him and promised to give of his utmost best to promote the
University’s image and contribute to its growth and development.
Prof Amonoo-Kuofi,
on his part, implored the new Vice Chancellor to be guided by the rule of law,
follow laid down rules and procedures to protect funds and concentrate on
developing the niche area of the University.
He advised him to
build strong relationship with education stakeholders without losing focus on
the core mandate of technical universities.
The core mandate
includes providing higher education in Engineering, Science, Technical and
Technology based disciplines and applied arts related fields.
Prof Owusu-Sekyere
was appointed Vice Chancellor by the University Council having sailed through
the strict and highly competitive search process on Friday, April 12, 2019.
He is a Professor of
Agricultural Engineering with rich experience in university management and
leadership.
He began his
academic career as an Assistant Lecturer, Department of Agricultural
Engineering at the University of Cape Coast in 1998, and rose through the ranks
to become a full Professor.
He was promoted to
the rank of Senior Lecturer in 2007, Associate Professor in 2010 and full
Professor in 2012.
Prof. Owusu-Sekyere
obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Agricultural Engineering from
Cranfield University, United Kingdom (UK) in 2005.
In the course of his
career, he occupied various positions including serving as the Head of the
Department of Agricultural Engineering at the UCC from 2008 to 2015, and
Vice-Dean of the School of Agriculture between 2013 to 2015, at the same
university.
He has also served
as the Rector of Perez University College from August 2016 to July 2018 while
on sabbatical leave.
The Vice Chancellor
has conducted extensive research into deficit irrigation, water saving
irrigation, crop water requirement under a changing climate and water control
for crop production.
He is married to Mrs
Bernice Owusu-Sekeyere with two children.
GNA