Former Rector of the University of Media Arts and Communication—Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), Professor Eric Opoku Mensah, has been appointed as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC).
Prof. Opoku Mensah’s appointment follows the retirement of the first vice chancellor, Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo.
A statement released by UniMAC on February 15, 2024, observed the leadership and innovation capabilities of Prof. Opoku Mensah as aligning with the core values of UniMAC, hence his appointment.
”He has served the academic community with distinction for several years and has a proven track record of leadership and innovation, exemplifying the core values of UniMAC through his dedication to academic excellence, research, and student welfare. His vision for higher education aligns seamlessly with the university’s commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in the modern world.”
“Prof. Opoku Mensah brings a wealth of experience and expertise in higher education management to this role, having served as the Deputy Rector and later, Rector of the Institute of Journalism, a constituent institute of the University,” the statement disclosed.
The statement noted that Prof. Opoku Mensah will lead UniMAC towards academic excellence, teamwork, and achieving its goal of becoming a globally recognised hub for media, arts, and communication professional training.
“In his new capacity, Prof. Opoku Mensah will assume the responsibility for guiding UniMAC through its ongoing pursuit of academic excellence, fostering collaboration among faculty, staff, and students, and advancing the university’s mission of becoming a globally recognised centre for excellence in the training of media, arts, and communication professionals.”
Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and a Master of Philosophy Degree from the University of Cape Coast. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he focused on an examination of the political communication of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He has a deep-seated research interest in Nkrumah’s Pan-African rhetorical enterprise, his rhetorical artefacts, their formations, and how they have contributed to the creation of nationhood and citizenship in a burgeoning democratic society.
Apart from his academic work, he has considerable experience in Ghana’s higher education landscape in terms of policy framework and university union leadership. He has participated in numerous workshops and forums on higher education policy developments both locally and internationally, with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference in Geneva and the Education International Conference (EI) in Taipei and Bangkok as notable mentions. He is also a past National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), having served as Local President of the University of Cape Coast Chapter of UTAG.
Prof. Opoku Mensah has served in various administrative positions, including serving as a member of the University of Cape Coast Governing Council, Academic Board, College Board, and Faculty Boards, as well as the Head of the Communication Studies Department and several other roles.
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