4 PEOJECTS FOR CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY READY (PAGE 52)

FOUR projects have been completed at the new site of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The projects, costing GH¢25 million, have paved the way for the 2008/2009 academic year to start at the new campus.
Since its establishment in March 2003, academic work of the university had been taking place at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sunyani.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) decided in 1998 to establish the CUGC.
The four structures at the new site are a resource centre hosting the university library, computer laboratories, and two large lecture theatres with a seating capacity of 1,200 and a classroom block containing nine big rooms, two of which have been converted into offices for the Registrar and the Vice Chancellor, with the third one being turned into a board meeting room.
Addressing a news conference to usher in the new academic year of the CUCG at the new site on Thursday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor James H. Ephraim, stated that a second classroom block was at the third floor level while an administration block was at the ground floor.
He added that 80 computers had already been set up in one of the two computer laboratories while additional 250 were expected to arrive soon.
The Vice Chancellor said a three-storey block under construction was 70 per cent complete, while contract had been awarded for the construction of 16 staff bungalows.
Plans, he said, were afoot for the establishment of science laboratories for the basic sciences.
The Vice Chancellor stated that from a modest beginning of 50 students, who matriculated on November 13, 2003, the university currently had enrolment of 1,280 undertaking degree programmes in Economics and Business Administration, with options in Economics, Accounting, Management as well as Banking and Finance.
According to Prof. Ephraim, the university was also offering training programmes in Religious Studies up to the Masters level, B.Sc. in Public Health with options in Health Management, Health Informatics and Health Education, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed), which has the options of School Administration and Guidance and Counselling.
In addition, he said, the university offered one-year and two-year Diploma programmes in Education for graduate teachers who wanted to have a professional qualification, and that it organised a Night School, which provides the opportunity for adults, especially employees, to study for their part-time degrees.