The Governing Council of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has appointed Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual as the next Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university.
His appointment will take effect on Monday, October 1, 2023.
Prof. Mawutor Avoke, whose tenure will leaves office on Saturday, September 30, 2023, will be replaced by Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual
This was revealed at the Second Session of the 27th Congregation of the University at Winneba by the Chancellor of UEW, Nenyi Ghartey VII, the Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area.
According to him, the Governing Council began the process of looking for a new VC in accordance with university rules, and at its meeting on August 1st, Prof. Mitchual was chosen to succeed Prof. Avoke.
Professor Mitichual, who has more than 20 years of teaching experience, served as the interim provost and interim dean of the school of graduate studies at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) prior to his appointment as the UEW VC.
His 2014 PhD in Wood science and technology from Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST) qualifies him as an acknowledged expert in the field.
KNUST issued an MSc in Wood Technology and Management in 2005, and the university obtained a BSc in Agriculture Engineering in 1993.
In 2003, Prof. Mitchual was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Design and Technology Education at the UEW Kumasi Campus. In 2011, he gained a promotion to senior lecturer, and afterwards AAMUSTED elevated him to associate professor.
He held numerous of positions during his time at UEW and AAMUSTED, including dean of the faculty of applied sciences and mathematics education from 2019–2020 to 2022, dean of the faculty of technical education from September 2017–2018 to 2020, Vice Dean of Students Affairs in 2007–2008 and in 2015–2016 academic year, among others.
Neenyi Ghartey, the university's chancellor, urged the graduates who were about to embark on new endeavors to keep in mind that the education they had received would serve as a lighthouse for them in the years to come, directing them along the road they had chosen.
He said, "Our education gave you a unique set of abilities as well as knowledge that must be used to encourage economic growth and generate constructive change.
He encourages the graduates, "A resilient conduct toward breaches will help you move forward and navigate uncertainty, making you align with ethical and sustainable behavior.
Prof. Mawutor Avoke, Vice Chancellor of the University, expressed his gratitude to the Governing Council and its leadership under Nana Ofori-Ansah I, faculty, administrators, and all stakeholders for sustaining the university in pursuing its mission and vision.
He said UEW was grateful for the continuous support of the Government of Ghana, especially during his time as vice chancellor, in encouraging the university to carry out its mission. He prayed for even more support for the following administration.
On September 30, 2023, my term as VC comes to an end, and I will be retiring after over 31 years in office. I am grateful to God Almighty for the opportunity to serve as Vice-Chancellor of UEW, and I also want to thank the Governing Council and everyone who helped us get to where we are now, he said.
In the same breath, he urged the faculty to embrace and support Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, who will take over as the next VC. "I also want to congratulate Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual on his upcoming return to office," he said.
