Speaker advises institutions to tap into online learning space
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, has urged institutions of higher learning to reassess their business models and tap into the online learning space which has deepened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Describing the pandemic as a blessing in disguise, he said the growing interest in online learning was a fine opportunity for universities to attract more international students and boost their revenue mobilisation efforts.
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He encouraged universities to work with online education platforms or partner international providers to make their services available to a wider community of students beyond the borders of Ghana.
Mr Bagbin was speaking at the 5th Alumni Lecture Series of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), organised as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of GIMPA on the theme: “The sustainability of higher education in post-pandemic times: a celebration of GIMPA.”
Economic sustainability
“The economic sustainability of institutions of higher learning remains a challenge due to a decline in international students and a low return on investments.
“It ought to be said that institutions that continue to invest in online learning would have access to a greater variety of student markets and could position themselves as innovation leaders,” Mr Bagbin said.
He added that “students from any and everywhere in the world, wanting to earn whichever certificates from schools, can jump on this opportunity and get educated.”
Cost of internet
Mr Bagbin acknowledged that the cost of internet and accessibility was a major challenge for developing countries, a situation, he said hindered a smooth adoption of technology to drive change.
He, therefore, emphasised the need for support systems for academic institutions and its learning community to enable them to effectively embrace technology in response to the changing times.
GIMPA’s approach
While extolling the contribution of GIMPA to the attainment of academic excellence and national development, he commended the management of the institute for its foresight in adopting the online learning way before the pandemic reared its head.
He encouraged the institute to place greater focus on its purpose and target audience while exploring more innovative ways to revise the way it generated revenue amid the pandemic.
“The online space gives schools more room to accommodate more students and that is one of the areas that must be highlighted. The creation of a “borderless higher education” may be the game-changer for most institutions and GIMPA should not be left out,” he said.
UMB Chairman
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), Nana Kwadwo Dwemoh Benneh, who chaired the event, commended GIMPA alumni community for their continuous efforts towards the sustenance of the value of the institute and its impact on society.
