Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu with the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has held the investiture of Professor Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu as the institution’s sixth Vice‑Chancellor.
The ceremony brought together academics, chiefs, development partners, government officials and other prominent personalities.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu pledged to lead the university with humility.
“I therefore accept this office with profound humility, immense gratitude and a clear understanding of its demands. The robes, symbols and rituals of this investiture carry honour, but they also carry obligation. They remind me that leadership is never a private possession. It is a public trust, measured not by the prominence of the office, but by the lives improved, the opportunities created and the institution strengthened,” he said.
Prof. Iddrisu outlined a vision to strengthen UDS as a world‑class university that delivers quality education, advances innovative research and community development, and produces skilled, ethical and responsible graduates capable of addressing local and global challenges.
He said a vision becomes credible only when people can see how it will be pursued, and promised to enhance academic excellence and holistic student development through rigorous, relevant and responsive programmes, periodic curriculum review, strengthened quality assurance, improved teaching and assessment, and meaningful student support.
Prof. Iddrisu noted the importance of good governance, accountability and ethical leadership.
“Transparency must be routine, not occasional. Decisions must be informed by evidence, responsibilities must be clear and resources must be managed prudently. Every member of the university community should be able to trust our systems,” he stated.
On financing, he said the university will pursue financial growth and sustainability through carefully managed income‑generating activities while recognising that public funding remains vital, and pledged to broaden the university’s resource base by mobilising alumni and philanthropic support, developing strategic ventures and ensuring that every initiative is professionally governed and aligned with UDS’s academic mission.
He called on staff, the governing council, chiefs, partners, students and the general public to give maximum support to his tenure to ensure the university achieves its goals of academic excellence and development.
Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, commended the immediate past Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Seidu Al‑Hassan, for his leadership and service to the university community.
He urged the new Vice‑Chancellor to lead with a listening heart and to bring positive change to the university community.
“The symbol you have received today represents authority, but it also stands for service. Carry it with dignity, and may you lead with a listening heart and leave a legacy that earns the university’s trust. I congratulate you and wish you a peaceful and successful tenure,” Dr. Apaak said.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to work with the governing council, staff and the entire university community to support national development.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale