University Of Cape Coast College Of Distance Education
Overview
The College of Distance Education (formerly Centre for Continuing Education),was established in 1997 and upgraded to a college status on 1st August, 2014. There are currently three academic departments including that of mathematics and science, business studies and education studies.
The objectives for establishing the College of Distance Education (CoDE) were to provide opportunities for people to pursue higher education; train more professional teachers for all levels of Education in the Ghana Education Service; raise the professional competence of serving teachers and personnel of the Ghana Education Service, as well as accounting and management personnel in civil/public service, commerce and industry. More importantly, the CoDE aimed at providing opportunities for applicants who, even though they qualify for admission, fail to enter the conventional University system due to constraints in physical facilities.
The Centre started with an initial student enrolment of 750 in 2001, using the print-based delivery mode with nine learning Centres in nine regions. The CCE operates a dual mode system. With this approach, the managers of the programmes ensure that there is no disparity in teaching and assessment between the conventional system and the distance learning system. In view of this, modules used by the distance education students are written by the lecturers of the conventional programmes. These lecturers set quizzes, assignments, examinations, and also responsible for grading students’ examination scripts.
CoDE currently runs programmes in education and business leading to the award of diploma, post-diploma and master’s degree. Presently, there are 69 Learning Centres across the country, offering twenty-seven (27) programmes in Education, Business, Science, Tourism and Hospitality Management. As at 2014/2015 Academic Year, there were 36,313 students enrolled in all the 27 programmes run by the College.
Vision
To become a reference point for the delivery of Quality Distance Education in Ghana and Beyond.
Mission
The University of Cape Coast is The University of Choice in Ghana. It is an equal opportunity University that is uniquely placed to provide quality education through the provision of comprehensive, liberal and professional programmes that challenge learners to be creative, innovative and morally responsible citizens. Through distance learning, it also extends expertise and facilities to train professionals for the education enterprise and business by employing modern technologies. The University constantly seeks alternative ways to respond to changing needs. The institution continues to expand its existing highly qualified faculty and administrative staff, offering a conducive environment that motivates them to position the University to respond effectively to the development needs of a changing world.
Core Value
As an institution of higher learning, UCC is embedded in a set of core values and principles subscribed to and upheld by the faculty, students, staff and the administration, which provide general guidelines towards the realization of the vision of University of Choice. These core values are:
Academic excellence: UCC has created an exciting and enviable niche in higher education in Ghana through innovative academic programmes and high standards in intellectual enquiry. These inform and permeate all aspects of learning and are subscribed to by all students, staff and faculty. The members of the university community strive to advance intellectual and culturally accepted inquiry.
Engagement: In furtherance of its core functions, members of UCC develop intellectually through active and reflective learning which enables engagement with the wider community, thus influencing policy for sustainable development.
Ethical and responsible behaviour: All members of the university community act honestly and responsibly, holding themselves accountable to others for their actions. In all their economic, social and political activities, staff, students and affiliate bodies of the university conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity of the person and the image of the university.
Equality of access to all opportunities and services: UCC is an equal opportunity institution and, therefore, strives to provide opportunity and access to quality education and services to all categories of person regardless of creed, race, gender, disability of all forms and social status.
Empowerment: UCC offers opportunities for staff and students to engage in critical enquiry and life-long learning meant to enhance confidence for contribution to personal and community development.