The newly appointed Director of the Institute of Distance Learning (IDL), Professor Anthony Andrews, held his first official meeting with staff at the Kumasi Centre on January 14, 2025. The meeting, which took place on the main campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Institute as Prof. Andrews shared his vision for growth and development.

During his address, Prof. Andrews outlined several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the Institute's human resource capabilities. Central to this vision is a new staff development programme that will include regular workshops designed to enhance service delivery to students and other stakeholders. The Director also announced the implementation of a performance evaluation system, which will include end-of-year rewards for staff members who demonstrate exceptional commitment and achievement.

"Our success as an institution depends entirely on the quality and dedication of our staff," stated Prof. Andrews. "We are committed to supporting their professional growth and recognizing their contributions."

A significant portion of the meeting focused on enhancing educational quality. Prof. Andrews announced new measures for course facilitation, including the implementation of end-of-block student assessments for facilitators, improved monitoring systems to enhance quality delivery and creation of a feedback mechanism through the Quality Assurance Committee.

In a notable development, Prof. Andrews announced the introduction of "Professional Add-Ons", short certificate courses that will be launched in the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. These programmes are designed to provide interested staff and students with additional certifications to enhance their market competitiveness.

The Director underscored the importance of staff well-being, announcing plans for periodic health programmes. He also noted the need to increase the Institute's visibility through existing social media platforms and encouraged staff engagement in this effort.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion addressing various operational challenges, including work attitudes, communication flow, and facilitator conduct. Prof. Andrews emphasized his commitment to maintaining an open-door policy, encouraging staff to bring forward suggestions for improving both the Institute and the broader University community. "I am here to listen and work with you," Prof. Andrews noted in his closing remarks.