The Governing Council and leadership of KAAF University College have appointed an astute agriculturalist, Prof. Herbert Kwabla Dei, as rector to serve as academic and administrative head of the institution.
Prof. Dei will leverage his high-calibre, impeccable academic credentials and social capital to facilitate the rapid development of skills training that meets the demands of industry; build linkages and strategic investments; and forge partnerships with reputable international universities.
Top of the agenda will be to spearhead the university’s chartering by 2024, in accordance with regulatory requirements of the new Education Bodies Regulatory Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
Speaking to journalists after his investiture last Friday, the new rector pledged to promote advancement in research-based learning and skills development that will position KAAF as a world-class tertiary institution for training students and professionals to positively impact society.
“My vision will be pursued vigorously in diverse ways and in line with the KAAF performance agreement – which is aimed at not only sustaining what exists currently, but also enhancing it and taking KAAF to the next level,” he said.
He said his administration will facilitate university-industry collaborations in relevant areas of study, pursue innovation and creativity with a significant economic impact, as well as drive rapid expansion of infrastructure and programmes.
He added: “There will be regular reviews of existing programmes’ curricula to ensure they are demand-driven and meet the needs of society”.
Professor Dei is an agricultural scientist and Professor of Animal Nutrition. He is a Fulbright Senior African Research Scholar, who has published extensively in reputable journals and presented several papers at both local and international conferences.
His academic career spans over 37 years, beginning as a teacher with the Ghana Education Service and rising to the rank of Senior Superintendent before joining the University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale.
Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. K.B Omane Antwi, reiterated in his remarks that KAAF as a Science and Engineering institution will continue to produce in-demand and exportable skills for the domestic and foreign labour market.
He further expressed optimism in the new rector: “I have no doubt in his ability to maintain the growth trajectory and relevance of KAAF in the private university space of Ghana”.
He added: “KAAF is a science-biased circular university that is not only committed to making high quality education accessible to deserving and motivated individuals, but also strives through active collaboration with major stakeholders to ensure that our academic offerings are in-demand and job-ready, and result in readily-exportable skills”.
