The University of Cape Coast School of Business(UCCSoB) in pursuance of its vision to become the best Business School in Africa has launched a development fund in Accra to propel the school to deliver on its mandate. The fund is managed by a nine-member board of trustees, who are expected to invest in the development of infrastructure, student support, as well as teaching and research activities. Launching the fund, the Chairman of UCC Council, Nana Brew-Butler, said the UCCSoB since its inception has trained students to take advantage of opportunities in all aspects of the economy and most especially in most of the corporate organisations. He noted that with the requisite infrastructure facilities, the UCCSoB would have the capacity to expand its tentacles to train more competent graduates to contribute significantly towards building the nation. He said the fund would lay a solid foundation for the provision of infrastructure projects like buildings, student support services, teaching and research activities. Explaining the purpose of the development fund, the Dean of the UCCSoB, Professor Edward Marfo-Yiadom, said in order to position the school to achieve its vision of becoming the best in Africa in the near term there was the need for massive investment in the activities of the school. He said the school needed to improve its physical infrastructure, improve Information Technology facilities for teaching and learning and also recruit high qualified faculty to handle courses at the school. He announced that the school has planned to introduce a Doctor of Philosophy programme in the next academic year in addition to its existing undergraduate and master’s level. Funds raised, according to him would be invested for a period and a percentage of the investment income, would be used to support various activities of the school. He said sources of the funds would include student and alumni contributions, corporate bodies/organisations, individuals support and the school’s internally generated funds. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Head of Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Henry Baye called on alumni of the UCCSoB and the business community to donate to the fund. He noted that the school needed the investment to be able to produce graduates who could compete as global citizens in the world. At the end of the event, about GH ¢160, 000 was raised, with assurance from alumni groups and corporate organisations for more support. The event was spiced by melodious tunes from the Tema Youth Choir. In attendance were alumni, faculty and staff of the UCCSoB, Corporate organisations and some members of the University Community.
