WIUC-GH ADDRESSES PRESSING NATIONAL CHALLENGES
Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, as part of its strategic thrust to foster academic success of its students, strengthens its delivery of core courses in English, Mathematics and foreign languages in the current academic year.
Educators, employers and other stakeholders commonly comment that students lack the ability to express themselves fluently in English. Similarly, failure rates in BECE or WASSSCE in Mathematics have attracted media attention in recent years. Therefore, WIUC-GH is vigorously pursuing an approach that requires all students to take English courses for at least three semesters with special courses in English proficiency for Francophone students for six weeks prior to their admission and for an additional three semesters. Similarly, Mathematics courses are offered for at least four semesters as core or elective courses.
WIUC-GH’s focus on foreign languages undergirds its efforts to enhance its graduates’ success in their chosen professions. Thus, students are required to spend a minimum of two semesters studying French and Chinese. A Study Abroad programme in partnership with BEM-Dakar, Senegal, offers accelerated language learning through classes and immersion in a foreign culture, the opportunity to live with a host family, and experience of business abroad participating in internships with local companies. Students in BEM-Dakar, will also receive similar benefits in a WIUC-GH exchange programme with the Dakar partner of the Bordeaux Ecole Management, one of the premier business Schools in France.
Under the recently established partnership, staff exchange programmes, joint research projects and executive training programmes in both English and French will be offered in Dakar and Accra in innovative formats that take full advantage of online and videoconferencing facilities.
Recognising the pivotal role of senior administrators in unlocking creativity and enhancing engagement of all members of the university community, a new structure of schools and faculties has been created to strengthen the delivery of academic programmes. To leverage its success in Information Technology and Business, the Department of Computer Science is now the Department of Business Computing in the School of Computing and Information Technology. Other Departments in the School are Information Technology and Archival and Records Management. The Business Studies Department has now been expanded into a School of Business Studies with departments of Business Administration, Resource Management and Mathematical Applications. The Faculty of General and Development Studies, in addition to General Education courses will offer Bachelors, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees in Development Communication, and a Bachelor’s degree in Rural Development and Ecotourism. These new programmes have been submitted for affiliation and accreditation.
The Centre for Continuing and Professional Education will offer a Masters’ degrees with options in Business Administration, Community Development and Human Resource Management. Three initiatives, a Department of Extra Mural Studies, a Consultancy Centre and a Writing Centre foster the university’s efforts to widen access to higher education for all qualified learners and build links with industry.
Social and scientific challenges are becoming increasingly complex in recent decades. Universities are uniquely positioned to address these challenges by providing graduates with a wide range of skills and capabilities. WIUC-GH is poised to offer quality education that is relevant to both national and global needs and believes these initiatives will galvanise the entire university community to embrace the vision of continuous growth and improvement.
Contact Person
Olivia Acheampong
PRO, Wisconsin International University College, Ghana
Tel 0302501449, 0267904513
E-mail: oacheampong@wiuc-ghana.edu.gh