The University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS) has just recruited Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight (328) academic and non-academic staff. As part of the UHAS values and culture, the new recruits undertook an orientation programme designed to assist them in adapting to working in the competitive and result-oriented environment that exists in UHAS.

Opening the orientation session, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Theophilus Christian Fleischer, who stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong, stated among other things that all employees must position themselves in a manner that will make them play meaningful roles in realising the UHAS vision which is ‘a pre-eminent health research educational institution dedicated to community service.

The Registrar, Dr Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, related that the training was to give the new employees easy access to basic information, processes & procedures and give clarifications that will allow them to have a smooth take-off in UHAS. The actual mastering of the UHAS culture and values, she said, is learnt on the job and to this extent employees must be learners at all times in order to succeed. The Registrar further asserted that universities are mainly run by committees and urged the new employees to always regard laid down processes and procedures and be prepared to ask for direction whenever necessary.

Some of the topics discussed during the orientation session were Rights and Responsibilities of the University Lecturer (Facilitated by Professor Kweku Osam - Department of Linguistics , University of Ghana), Ethical Values in Service Delivery in Higher Education (Facilitated by Mrs Laureen Lokko – a Consultant, C& C Consulting Firm, Accra) and Preparing for Teaching & Principles of Assessment (Facilitated by Professor F.K. Amedahe - Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast). Other topics discussed were Responsibilities and Obligations of the University to Its Constituents, Institutional ICT Provision for Teaching/Learning, Financial Obligation and Responsibilities, Transport Services in UHAS, Security & Fire Awareness, Criteria for Appointments & Promotions and Introduction to the use of UHAS Student Online Information System.