Administrative staff at the various Schools and Academic Departments of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, have participated in a seminar organised by the Academic and Students’ Affairs Division of the University. The seminar which was held on 13th August 2021 at the University auditorium and chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, aimed at equipping the participants as professionals involved in students’ affairs practice.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako giving brief remarks at the programme noted that administrative assistants are part of the university management though they are not directly part of top management. However, their work is very crucial to the development of the university hence they ought to be very professional and responsible in the discharge of their duties. Prof. Asare-Bediako added that the students are the main clients of the university and they must be handled properly because the University has the mandate to nurture its students to become responsible adults after tertiary education. He urged the staff to be patient and work diligently when attending to students at their departments.
The Registrar, Mr. Solomon Panford, Esq. presenting on the topic “The Overview of University Administration in the 21st Century”, said there has been a drastic transformation of the nature of Universities globally. He asserted that currently, universities are technological and student-centred in their administration. This, he admitted administrators need to upgrade themselves to level up with the current trends of university administration as well as abreast themselves with information and policies of the university. For UENR to thrive in the midst of competition among universities in Ghana, the Registrar advised the participants to be students oriented in the discharge of their duties by establishing good human relations with them. This, he believes would have a profound influence in building stronger alumni relations when students graduate. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the university and assured management’s utmost commitment to provide lasting solutions to them.
Speaking on the topic “Understanding Students Affairs, Support and Services”, the Acting Head of Academic and Students’ Affairs Division, Mr. George Kwadwo Anane explained that administrators stationed at the various Schools and Departments are to ensure the effective operation of the decentralized management system of the University. Additionally, he said they should professionally represent the Vice-Chancellor in addressing the needs of the students and participate in decision making by making recommendations on academic programmes.
Mr. Anane further tasked the participants to initiate ideas of recruiting students for their departments and keep a database to help track the progress of students at their department. He encouraged the participants to take up advisory roles for the students by assisting them socially, emotionally and academically and urged them to research into scholarship opportunities for students to support them financially.
