The Management of Accra Technical University has held an orientation programme for lecturers on graduate programmes at the University. This event comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented number of graduate programmes rolled out for the 2024/2025 academic year, a feat following the university’s transition to a fully-fledged university in 2016.
The all-important programme was held on November 11, 2024, at the university’s auditorium. Speaking as the chairman on the occasion, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, highlighted the university’s mandate to transform students through critical thinking, research, and innovation. He mentioned that compliance with quality standards is crucial for the sustainability of the master’s programme. He advised lecturers to prioritise attendance, direct engagement, and dedication and commitment to the programmes. Prof. Acakpovi admonished lecturers to be mindful of the difference between undergraduate and graduate teaching, stressing the need for proper preparation and high-quality teaching material.
In addition, he stated unequivocally that lecturers will be rigorously appraised and their performance will be closely monitored to ensure the highest quality of education at the master’s level.
Prof. J.S.Y. Kuma took lecturers through the fundamentals of pedagogy at the graduate level. The interactive session focused on effective teaching strategies for postgraduate students. According to Prof. J.S.Y. Kuma, graduate school is the university’s research arm. He encouraged lecturers to dedicate ample time to research to inspire innovations and problem-solving skills.
He guided lecturers on the ethical aspects of teaching postgraduate students, highlighting the importance of empathy and humility when engaging with this group. He urged lecturers to focus on thorough class preparation and the quality of learning materials. Emphasising the need for clarity, up-to-date content, and depth, he underscored these elements as essential for delivering effective lectures at the master’s level.