The Management of the Institute for Distance Education and e-Learning (IDeL), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has held a meeting with Heads of Host Institutions of all its Study Centres at Royale Wadoma Hotel in Kumasi, to discuss and adopt comprehensive guidelines proposed by a sub-committee, to regulate conduct for the resumption of tutorials amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing the meeting, Director of IDeL, Prof. Francis Owusu-Mensah, stressed that such a comprehensive guideline is critical to ensuring that students of IDeL, regular students of Host Institutions and staff operate in a healthy and safe environment amid the pandemic.
“We agreed that a sub-committee be formed to work out the details of the guidelines. We also promised that after the work of the Sub-Committee, we’ll meet to discuss and adopt same so that, they become the guiding principles for our operation on your various Campuses.”
Ag. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, in welcoming participants, thanked them for cooperating with IDeL and wished them a prosperous new year.
He led the discussion session which brought on board many other insightful ideas to fine tune and adopt the document prepared by the Sub-Committee.
Director of Health Services, Dr. (Mrs) Beth Offei-Awuku, informed participants that for the first time, the University is doing the medical examination online, as such students will fill medical examination forms online.
She added that students are also required to fill risk assessment forms online. She avarred that the Directorate would glean vital information to support the Centres.
According to her, the Directorate would be happy to hear from and assist the Centres as part of their contribution to making the implementation of the document a success.
Registrar, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima, Esq., in his closing remarks, described the meeting as the best form of getting results, because there was a direct involvement of the key actors, who will oversee the implementation of the policy document.
“We met and all committed ourselves to coming out with guidelines. You fully participated to ensure we get the guidelines. We thought it wise, prudent and administratively expidient, therefore, to meet with you again to have discussions on the proposed guidelines.”
Thankfully, we’ve met, discussed and agreed on the best guidelines for the programme to start amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He assured participants that, as key partners to the Distance Education and e-Learning enterprise, their concerns are usually prioritised by Management to ensure apt and timely feedback.
He hoped that partipants will continue to work collaboratively with the Management of IDeL and by extension the University to meet the education needs of the country.