Prof. Duku Urges UEW Alumni to Take Active Role in University Governance
Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, Chairman of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Alumni Reorganisation Committee, has underscored the critical importance of alumni engaging actively in the governance of their alma mater.
During a sensitisation meeting held on Saturday, 11th January, 2025, at the North Campus Mini-Conference Room and via Zoom, Prof. Duku emphasised the importance of alumni taking an active role in safeguarding the welfare and interests of the university. He pointed out that the institution's reputation directly affects the value of their degrees. "If you tarnish the name of UEW, you also tarnish my certificate, because wherever I present that certificate, the university's reputation will follow it," he stated.
He observed that the alumni associations at his other institutions, including the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), are effectively preserved, and safeguarded. He expressed the belief that it is time for the UEW alumni to take similar actions to ensure the protection and continuity of their association.
Prof. Duku encouraged alumni to participate in the ongoing registration process, which will enable them to have a say in the governance of the university. "Let us not see this as one means to an end, going to register and voting for somebody that you prefer to lead and that ends it. But let us see it as an opening door for us to reunite this association and develop it the way we want it to be," he urged.
He underscored the importance of reunifying the alumni association and developing it as a platform for alumni to contribute to the university's growth. "This platform is designed to enable us to express our perspectives on the governance of the university. If you occupy a different position, you may lack the authority to influence the decisions that shape your system," he remarked.
The UEW Alumni Reorganisation Committee has established a comprehensive schedule of activities leading up to 1st February, 2024. Prof. Duku urged all alumni to actively engage in these events and to play a significant role in shaping the future of their alma mater. He expressed appreciation to all alumni who participated in the recent event, both in person and online, and encouraged continued collaboration in promoting the interests of the UEW.
Prof. Lucy Effeh Attom, Director of the Office for Institutional Advancement (OIA), on her part, indicated that the university had long recognised the importance of a vibrant alumni association, citing benefits such as personal growth, community development, and sustainability.
She revealed that to achieve such a goal, OIA established a committee to support its reorganisation efforts. The Committee, according to her, has been meeting for over six months, laying the groundwork for a successful alumni revival. “As part of this process, OIA has organised a series of sensitisation workshops, with the first on 14th December, 2024. The second workshop, held recently, focused on outlining the modalities for impending elections,” she averred.
Prof. Attom emphasised the importance of active participation from alumni, urging them to engage fully in the deliberations to ensure a consensus on the election process.
With OIA's efforts gaining momentum, UEW alumni can expect a revitalised association that fosters growth, development, and community engagement. The committee's interim executives will be given the mandate to continue the processes until substantive leaders are elected to chart the path of the association.