UEW Vice-Chancellor Tasks Alumni to Mobilise Support for the University
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, has charged the newly elected interim alumni executives to mobilise their members, both locally and internationally, to support the university’s infrastructural development.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the interim executives, Prof. Mitchual emphasised the critical role of alumni in the development of universities worldwide. He noted that alumni support is significant in university rankings and funding, citing examples from other institutions where alumni contributions have facilitated major projects.
“Our alumni are spread across the globe, including the US, Canada, the UK, and beyond. It is your responsibility to unite them and encourage their support for their alma mater. One of our main priorities is the construction of a business school complex, and we want alumni to advocate for this initiative. Universities worldwide thrive on alumni support, and UEW should be no exception,” stated Prof. Mitchual.
The Vice-Chancellor lamented the university’s financial constraints, pointing out that tuition fees collected are significantly lower compared to global standards. He noted that the university struggles to fund critical infrastructure projects, making alumni engagement in fundraising efforts imperative.
“As it stands, a business school complex is a necessity, and we believe that through effective alumni mobilisation, we can raise substantial funds to begin the project. By the end of the year, we should see tangible results, with alumni contributing meaningfully towards the development of this institution,” he added.
Prof. Mitchual further disclosed that the university is making efforts to secure external funding for other projects, including a laboratory complex and a new library. He urged the interim executives to use innovative means, including technology and social networks, to reconnect with alumni and encourage their participation in these development initiatives.
Prof. Lucy Effeh Attom, Director of the Office for Institutional Advancement (OIA) at UEW, provided insights into the university’s challenges in organising its alumni due to election-related issues. She revealed that a committee was formed in April 2024 to restructure the alumni body, leading to the successful conduct of elections on Saturday, 1st February, 2025.
“We had a peaceful election, and the new executives have been given a one-year interim mandate to mobilise alumni and lay the foundation for substantive elections in the future. Their success will determine the future strength of the alumni association,” Prof. Lucy Attom noted.
Interim UEW Alumni President, Dr. Samuel Ofori Danquah, expressed gratitude to the university’s management for the reconstitution process. He affirmed the executives' commitment to strengthening the alumni network and ensuring that UEW remains a respected institution.
“We are working on building a robust alumni database and reconnecting with our members globally to ensure that UEW stands tall among its peers and attracts the needed support for its development. We also request an office space on campus to facilitate our activities and enhance alumni engagement,” Dr. Danquah stated.
Other key university officials, including Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, Principal of the College for Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) and Chair of the Alumni Reorganisation Committee, and Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, Acting Registrar of UEW, encouraged the interim executives to take their mandate seriously and contribute significantly to the university’s progress.
With the renewed focus on alumni mobilisation, the UEW management and the interim alumni executives are hopeful that the university infrastructural development will gain the needed momentum in the coming months through collective efforts.
