Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Prof Vera Fiador, has been elected as the new National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at its 22nd Biennial Congress in Aburi.

Other executives are Reverend Dr Ebenezer T. Amanor-Lartey as the vice president, Prof. Gladys A.A. Nabieu as the treasurer, Dr Samuel Segla as the secretary, and Dr Rosemary Anderson Akolaa as the women's commissioner.

The new executives will serve a two-year term as stipulated in their constitution.

The Congress was on the theme "Rethinking Higher Education Pedagogy and Funding in the Age of AI: Ethics, Equity, and Development Impact."

Prof. Fiador, in a speech, commended the members for the confidence reposed in her and the executive, pledging to work with stakeholders to improve their conditions of service.

She assured the country of its continuous support to produce students who are relevant in national development and beyond.

Prof. Fiador underscored the importance of data-driven research to guide policy decisions, stressing that research works must be put to use for better outcomes.

"We look forward to working collectively with stakeholders to transform research into impactful results," she stated.

She called for a national approach through candid opinions devoid of politics to advance the course of sustainable development.

Prof Fiador called for reliable funding for the universities to perform their mandatory responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

She pledged to increase collaboration between academia and the industry to meet the needs of industry players and spur socio-economic development.

Prof. Fiador acknowledged the threat of illegal mining in the country and assured the public that the association would respond appropriately to its menace to the environment.

"We need to work together to improve the fortunes of the association. We need to be a republic of ideas and live with action to solve societal problems," she said.