The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) is recording significant academic gains as it navigates the challenges of its early years of autonomy.
During a parliamentary oversight visit by the Education Committee, the university highlighted its progress and resilience despite the difficulties associated with transitioning to full independence.
The Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Joseph Kwame Kumah, who led the delegation, commended the university’s efforts, particularly after it had to independently repackage 177 academic programmes when its former parent university declined to process their accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor of UBIDS, Prof. Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, disclosed that management had secured approval from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to recruit new assistant lecturers. The move follows the loss of 55 key staff members to the University for Development Studies (UDS) during the transition.
Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, Member of Parliament for Offinso North, also examined the university’s strategic plans, including its vision to establish a medical school by 2027, and commended some of its flagship initiatives.
However, he raised questions about the sustainability of the university’s operating model, particularly the disparity between its weekend master’s and regular student populations. The university has 1,898 weekend master’s students compared with 356 regular students, prompting management to outline clearer plans for ensuring the institution’s long-term viability.
Infrastructure constraints
On infrastructure, Prof. Derbile disclosed that a government debt of GH¢114 million relating to land acquisition had slowed campus development.
He said a new 600-bed facility would accommodate only about six per cent of the university’s 10,000-student population, underscoring the need for targeted support to help newly established universities meet their infrastructure requirements.
Despite the constraints, UBIDS continues to register academic achievements. Its School of Law recorded a notable success, with 27 of its 47 graduates passing their professional entrance examinations at the first attempt.
Promoting gender inclusion
The university is also taking steps to address gender disparities in higher education.
Female enrolment declines from 52 per cent at the diploma level to just 15 per cent at the PhD level, a trend the university is seeking to reverse through targeted interventions.
As part of these efforts, it has established a new Centre for Gender Diversity and Social Inclusion to mentor female scholars and promote greater participation in advanced academic study.
Another flagship initiative is the Practical Training Programme (PTP), directed by Prof. Stanley K. Dary. The programme deploys students into local communities to undertake advocacy and skills training, an approach commended by the parliamentary committee during its visit.
Management is appealing for special financial dispensation for newly established universities to help them overcome transitional difficulties, consolidate their gains and establish a sustainable foundation for future growth.