The University for Development Studies (UDS) has officially opened a new Distance Learning Center in Gambaga, marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide accessible education to underserved communities. The center, handed over by the Gambaga Municipal Assembly, will enable students in rural areas to pursue degrees and diplomas without traveling long distances.

The handover ceremony took place at the Gambaga Municipal Assembly office and saw a delegation from UDS, led by the Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), Dr. Cecelia Alima Issaka, paying a courtesy call on the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Abdulai Issah Chimsi. During the event, Dr. Issaka emphasized that the establishment of the center aligns with UDS's strategic goal of bridging the educational gap in rural communities and meeting the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) standards for tertiary education accessibility. “This center represents a significant step in our commitment to making higher education accessible to all,” Dr. Issaka remarked. “UDS looks forward to expanding the range of courses offered, including postgraduate programs, to meet the growing educational needs of the region.”

Hon. Chimsi praised the partnership between the university and the assembly, noting that repurposing the old assembly building into a learning facility reflects the shared commitment to advancing education and human resource development in the North-East Region. He added that the initiative will benefit not only Gambaga but also neighboring communities, fostering a pool of skilled professionals to drive local development. At the ceremony with the MCE was mr. Issah Sadat (Internal Auditor), MR. B.A Hamid (MFO), Mr. Manlokiya Mathias Nbangba (MPPO), and Mr.Abdul Rahman Nashiru, (Accountant).

Accompanying Dr. Cecelia were Dr. Maxwell Nyatsikor, Deputy Director of IDCE, and Madam Sarah Atambeogo, Faculty Officer of the institute. The delegation expressed gratitude to the assembly for its support and assured stakeholders of UDS's commitment to delivering quality education.

The Distance Learning Center is part of UDS’s broader strategy to enhance educational infrastructure and increase its reach in rural areas. The university’s flagship Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) and other initiatives underscore its dedication to improving educational opportunities for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their location. This new center reaffirms UDS’s mission to be a leading institution in bridging educational inequalities, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of Ghana’s rural communities.

In a related development, UDS recently inaugurated a Distance Learning Center in Nakpanduri, Northern Region, further extending its educational reach. The Nakpanduri center was handed over by the local traditional authorities, with the Paramount Chief, Chief David Kansuk, expressing his commitment to education and development in the area.

These initiatives are part of UDS's ongoing efforts to establish new distance learning centers across the country, including plans to expand into areas. This expansion aims to provide more Ghanaians with the opportunity to access higher education, regardless of their geographical location.

Community members and leaders have expressed enthusiasm for these new centers, anticipating that they will not only increase educational opportunities but also stimulate local development. The presence of reputable institutions like UDS is expected to attract more resources and attention to these areas, potentially leading to further investments in local infrastructure and services. The Distance Learning Center is part of UDS’s broader strategy to enhance educational infrastructure and increase its reach in rural areas. The university’s flagship Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) and other initiatives underscore its dedication to improving educational opportunities for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their location.

Story by
Sumaila Mohammed
(UDS Media)