IDEC Partners University of Leicester to bring Quality UK Education to Ghanaians

BY YESMAN ANTOH-

Emmanuel Kwashie Agbodzi, Head of IDEC
Photo Credit: IDEC

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS, Accra, Ghana- THE HEAD of the International Distance Education Centre (IDEC) and Consultants to the Leicester University in Ghana, Emmanuel Kwashie Agbodzi, has revealed that his outfit is poised at leading private sector drive of UK education to the door-steps of Ghanaians.

According to Agbodzi, it is time Ghana tap from the rich experiences of foreign education adding that it partnership with University of Leicester would facilitate flexible quality distance education for Ghanaian students

He made this clarion call during the University of Leicester West Africa Alumni chapter networking event hosted by IDEC at the Fiesta Royal Hotel in Accra.

The event dubbed ‘Study Leicester Education Fair 2019,’ brought together key stakeholders in the educational industry to deliberate on various avenues available to Ghanaian students.

Speaking at the event, the president of the University of Leicester Alumni-West Africa Chapter, Jonathan Teye, called on non-governmental stakeholders to support government in sustaining the current free Senior High School (SHS) initiative.

Teye said if this is done, it would enable the nation to reap its full rewards while upholding quality in the educational sector.

He described the free SHS as a healthy and ambitious educational drive by the government of which when well resourced, could grow the human resource of the country, thereby positively impacting on the development of the economy.

Teye lamented that, the government alone cannot have all the requisite resources to fully make its implementation a success story hence the need for private sector participation.

He called on civil society organizations or non-governmental organizations among others to lend support in diverse ways to establish and progressively sustain the free SHS initiative.

“Alumni bodies, for instance, should make a conscious effort to give back to the society which groomed them while corporate institutions must as well invest in the needed infrastructure in less-endowed schools as part of their corporate social responsibilities.”

“Remember that adequate academic preparation for the nation’s youth to a large extent, minimize the rate of school drop-outs with its attendant social vices in the country while guaranteeing mother Ghana a better tomorrow,” he said.

He added that although most people prefer and enjoy free things the country must not “compromise on quality, efficiency and effectiveness in the process, knowing well that the world is a global village now and academic competition is not restricted to the geographic boundaries of Ghana.”

On his part, the Group Director of Philanthropy, Alumni and Community Engagement of the University, Bill Friar, said the university has earmarked the year 2021 as the ‘Year of Giving’ as part of its centenary celebrations.

The University’s Alumni will, therefore, embark on charitable projects in its quest to give back to the society within which it thrives.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Director of the British Council of Ghana, Alan Rutt, also congratulated the University of Leicester Alumni – West African Chapter on the launch of the alumni cloth and pledged the council’s unwavering support to the alumni body.

Also in attendance, was the Dean of the School of Business of the University, Prof. Peter Lunt, former Information Minister, Fritz Baffour, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, former National Health Insurance Authority boss, Sylvester Mensah, Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mr Gilbert Ken Asmah and all alumni members of the University of Leicester Ghana chapter.

BY YESMAN ANTOH, NEW AFRICA DAILY  NEWS, BUSINESS & POLITICS, GLOBAL CORRESPONDENT

www.newafricadailynews.com