A panel of academics and experts put together by the University of Ghana to look at academic programmes and administrative and governance structures of the University has held its inaugural meeting in Accra. A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the University said the University of Ghana Visitation Panel is chaired by Sir John Daniel, former Vice Chancellor of the Open University, UK, and now President and Chief Executive of the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada. The statement explained that a visitation is a familiar process of review whereby universities invite colleague academics from other universities and institutions to visit, examine and comment on structures, resources, programmes and other activities and make appropriate recommendations to the university’s governing body with the view to ensuring progress and improvement. This is the second time in its almost 60 years of existence that the University of Ghana is undertaking a comprehensive review after the first one in 1961. The Chairman of the University Council, Mr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, said that the Council called for the visitation in light of revelations pointing to some systemic weaknesses in the administration of the University following examination-related malpractices during the 2006/05 academic year. The panel will review the academic programmes to determine their currency, quality and relevance to the mission of creating world class human resources and capabilities to meet national development needs. It will also review the infrastructure and resources currently in place and advice on additional resources required to enable the university to adequately discharge its mandate to an internationally acceptable standard. “Similarly, it will review the University’s administrative and governance structures, its systems and procedures and advice on their appropriateness and adequacy in relation to the twin goals of effectiveness and efficiency.” The team is made up of well-known Ghanaian academics, experts and institutional leaders from India, Jamaica, Nigeria, UK and US who are serving in their personal capacity. Sir John said their task was to “help the University organise itself for the future”. He said although the future would present an ever-changing environment, the University’s mission expressed aspirations that were valid for any future. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Clifford Nii Tagoe said the choice of businessmen in the team was to help the University interface with external publics, such as industry and commerce. Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr, a former Vice Chancellor of the University and now Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, is vice chairman of the Visitation Panel. Source: GNA