By: Murtala Issah
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has announced a new era of advancement in Teaching, Learning and Research to position the University as a center of excellence.
As part of this effort, the university is to establish a diagnostic imaging research center to train more diagnostic imaging professionals, improve research, teaching and learning.
The Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Seidu Alhassan announced this at his investiture as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the UDS in Tamale.
Magnetic imaging technology has become indispensable in healthcare systems across the world.
The technology is necessary for investigations into organs and tissues in the body. It is key in diagnosing cases such as stroke and head injuries. Despite its importance in medicine, there are a little over three hundred magnetic imaging professionals serving across the country.
The situation in Northern Ghana, is worse, as there is only one unreliable MRI machine at the Tamale Teaching Hospital serving the entire population of Northern Ghana. On many occasions, patients who needed to Undertake MRI scans had to travel to Accra or Kumasi to access the facility.
Medical professionals say, the situation is unhealthy for emergency cases that require immediate attention.
The announcement by the UDS of center of excellence for imaging technology to train, research and serve the people is a major step towards improving access to technology for residents of Northern Ghana.
Professor Seidu Alhassan pledged to resource the center, which is under the School of Allied Health Sciences to function properly.
“From the strength of our existing structures of faculties, schools and other academic centers, we must continue to explore new ways of tapping into the frontiers of knowledge, knowledge that cuts across academic excellence and community services, especially in areas where we have comparative advantage and unique opportunities, ” he emphasised.
The UDS also announced that, it is establishing new faculties, including the faculty of law, the faculty of social sciences, the UDS Business School and the faculty of Arts and Cultural Studies to boost teaching and learning.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the Guest of Honour, commended the University for being development-oriented and producing critical manpower for the development of the country.
He expressed concern over recent revelations that, some universities were running unaccredited programmes.
“From the strength of our existing structures of faculties, schools and other academic centers, we must continue to explore new ways of tapping into the frontiers of knowledge, knowledge that cuts across academic excellence and community services, especially in areas where we have comparative advantage and unique opportunities, ” he emphasised.
“One of your immediate tasks should be to take an inventory of your programmes and make sure that all ongoing and new ones are duly accredited, ” he stressed.
