By Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani (Bono), Feb. 23, GNA – Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has commended the government for giving financial clearance for the resumption of work and completion of some abandoned physical infrastructure projects at the university.
He said the completion of the Ghana Education Trust Fund library (GETFund) library project, as well as the institution’s main entrance and lecture block at the Dormaa Campus would well position the university to advance academic progress.
Prof Asare-Bediako gave the commendation in an interview with the media on the sidelines of a forum, jointly organised by the office of the Dean of Students and Students’ Representative Council (SRC) in Sunyani.
It provided an opportunity for the student leadership groups including representatives, departmental and school presidents, SRC executives, and local executives of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to engage directly with university management.
Prof Asare-Bediako said the institution required those academic facilities, particularly the library, lecture theatre and offices, to enhance effective teaching and learning.
He also appealed to consider extending the financial clearance to complete the construction of an ICT facility, laboratory and the lecture theater complex projects at the Dormaa Campus to enhance the institution’s infrastructure development.
Prof Asare-Bediako expressed concern about the deplorable condition of access roads at the university’s main campus, worrying that though a contract which was awarded for the reshaping of the roads was terminated at a point.
He called on the government to expedite action for the work to resume on the road project too and to improve accessibility and safety at the university.
Prof Asare-Bediako noted that student leadership engagements with the university authorities remained critical and commended the SRC and the NUGS for their cooperation and partnership towards the development of the institution.
He said: “When student leaders understand the challenges facing management, they are better informed and positioned to support the development agenda of the university”, and student bodies also appreciate the management’s efforts to address some pressing concerns.
Mr Abdulai Adjei Zakaria, the SRC President of UENR said the forum was timely and significant, providing the student leaders with direct access to management towards discussing challenges confronting students and to proffering practical solutions.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Benjamin Mensah