The University of Ghana Familiarises itself with the E-learning Infrastructure in KNUST

On July 28, 2022, a delegation headed by Prof. Justice N. Bawule, Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), paid a visit to the KNUST-Kumasi E-Learning Centre. The purpose of the tour was to provide the UGBS team with a chance to become acquainted with the Institute's distinctive approach to remote learning. This tour's objective was to introduce participants to the centre's excellent online instruction and teaching techniques. The fifteen-person delegation included the Dean, Departmental Heads and other UGBS experts. Prof. Bawule stated in his remarks that the goal of their visit to their chosen sister school was to learn more about the benefits of the E-Learning Centre, how KNUST has been able to adapt its outstanding method of greatly advancing in the field of virtual learning and how they intended to take useful lessons to aid them in their online learning education. According to Clay P. Bedford “You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” The greatest instructional approaches that have been established and supported by studies are included in high-quality online learning. A user-friendly design, a diversity of technological tools and accessibility for students with special needs are all features of high-quality online learning.

In Prof. Bawule's introductory remarks, he stated that as part of the objectives to provide world-class business education to our students through virtual learning, the Management of the School has tasked Heads of Departments and Administrators of UGBS to embark on a familiarisation tour of selected sister institutions who have made enormous strides in the area of virtual learning and pick useful lessons and KNUST is one of the greatest. He applauded the efforts of the team and continued by insisting that to raise the academic standard and degree of knowledge of the university, he urges the Staff and Heads of the Department of UGBS to learn, apply the skills and recognize how KNUST is handling the E-Learning Centre's activities and how they have been able to enhance both the educational level and expertise of the University. As Nelson Mandela once stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” One of the major benefits of online education is that working people can enrol in courses at universities all around the world and choose the curriculum that best suits their needs without disrupting their lives. On the other hand, students who attend campus are constrained to nearby possibilities and are required to relocate for a full-time program. In the best interests of tertiary education in Ghana, the two institutions may then compare notes and make the necessary adjustments to their respective systems.

Prof. Anthony Andrews, the Centre's Deputy Director welcomed guests on behalf of the Director and expressed the centre's gratitude for the UGBS institutional visit. Additionally, he mentioned how recent occurrences like the COVID-19 Pandemic had drastically altered tertiary education globally. Therefore, to fulfil their objectives, educational institutions in Ghana cannot afford to copy other institutions and change the way that education is delivered. He went on to state that the KNUST E-Learning Centre is overjoyed by the news because UGBS thought of their work as stunning and successful. He stressed that the KNUST E-Learning Centre views UGBS as a partner in fostering the growth of future leaders who would spearhead the socioeconomic development of the country as business owners, inventors, managers, scientists and technicians. According to Prof. Andrews, KNUST has advanced significantly in distance learning, owing to its distinctive integrated approach as the country's leading tertiary school for science and technology education.

To conclude, the KNUST Staff and the UGBS Staff went to the Centre to find out more about how it runs or functions. They went to the University's new Network Operating Centre, the teaching and recording studios, the syndicate rooms, the conference centre, the video conferencing facilities and lastly the KNUST School of Business, where they spoke with the dean and other school representatives. Present at the interaction were Prof. Anthony Andrews – Deputy Director of the institute, Mr. Owusu Ansah Debrah – Institute Registrar, Mr. Christopher Addo – Senior Assistant Registrar (E-Learning), and Mr. Abraham Adusei – Assistant Registrar.

Published:21st February 2023 Source: KNUST E-Learning Centre