The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) stands out in Ghana’s higher education landscape as a leading institution for teacher education and beyond.
Founded in 1992 with a mandate to train professional educators for national development, UEW has grown into a multi-campus university with seven faculties and 29 academic departments, serving tens of thousands of students across its campuses and 18 distance learning centres nationwide.
UEW offers a wide array of programmes—from undergraduate degrees in education, science, arts and business to postgraduate and doctoral studies—tailored to meet the needs of Ghana’s evolving workforce.
In recent years, the university has introduced new specialised programmes to keep pace with global trends.
Notably, it enrolled the first cohort of students into a newly launched Bachelor of Arts in German Education programme, a niche addition that underscores UEW’s commitment to innovative curriculum development.
The institution is also expanding opportunities for working professionals by securing accreditation for new distance-learning and sandwich master’s programmes, including an MBA with specialisations in fields like Marketing and Finance, and an M.Ed. with specialisations in Home Economics, Political Science, Geography, Early Grade and Basic Education.
These developments reflect UEW’s dedication to widening access to quality education and ensuring that prospective students can find relevant programmes for their career ambitions.
WorldClass Faculty Driving Academic Excellence
A key pillar of UEW’s advantage is its strong faculty and staff, whose expertise underpins the university’s academic excellence.
The teaching staff at UEW comprises seasoned educators and researchers, many holding doctoral degrees and international experience, which translates into high-quality instruction and mentorship for students.
The university’s lecturers and researchers are actively engaged in impactful scholarly projects, often addressing national and regional challenges.
In fact, UEW researchers have recently secured funding for significant initiatives such as the Integrated Land and Water Management project in the Amanzule Wetlands and an innovative teacher development programme for sub-Saharan Africa.
These projects not only contribute to knowledge and community development but also enrich classroom learning with cutting-edge insights.
Recognising the importance of maintaining small class sizes and personalized learning, UEW is continually bolstering its academic staff.
The Ghanaian government has provided financial clearance for the university to recruit additional qualified lecturers, ensuring that as enrollment grows, student-teacher ratios remain conducive to effective learning.
This infusion of new talent, combined with ongoing professional development for existing staff, means that students at UEW learn from educators who are at the forefront of their fields.
The faculty’s dedication has been reflected in accolades as well UEW has been ranked the Ghana’s most sustainable university (University of Indonesia GreenMetric World University Rankings), a recognition of institutional quality and responsible stewardship.
Such achievements underscore the calibre of UEW’s human resources and their commitment to upholding academic standards.
CuttingEdge Infrastructure and Student Support
UEW’s campus infrastructure has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent times, substantially boosting the learning environment and resources available to students.
Under the leadership of university management, several long-awaited projects have been fast-tracked to completion as part of a push for academic and research excellence.
Among these are two enormous 3,000-capacity student hostels that alleviate accommodation shortages and allow more students to reside on campus.
Each hostel is equipped with modern amenities – from rooms with en-suite facilities and study areas to common rooms, laundries, kitchens and even shops – aimed at providing a comfortable, communal living-learning experience.
In tandem with this, a state-of-the-art lecturers’ office complex has been completed, housing 200 faculty offices and 30 lecture halls to ensure teachers and students have adequate spaces for instruction and consultation.
Another milestone is the opening of a fully equipped 100-bed hospital on the Winneba campus, featuring emergency and surgical units, diagnostic services (X-ray, dental, pharmacy) and inpatient wards.
This on-campus hospital not only serves the health needs of students and staff but also provides a training ground for healthcare education and a service to the surrounding community.
The university’s investment in technology is equally noteworthy: a cutting-edge data centre has been established to bolster ICT infrastructure and data security, and the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning system for admissions and student information is underway.
To enhance safety, UEW is installing CCTV surveillance across key facilities, creating a more secure environment for learning.
These infrastructure advancements have been achieved through judicious use of funds and efficient project management.
Notably, President Nana Akufo-Addo himself praised UEW for investing heavily in new lecture theatres, laboratories and student facilities using internally generated funds – a model of financial resourcefulness that other universities are urged to emulate.
With additional facilities like a new Commercial Centre, upgraded water systems at satellite campuses, and study centres in Accra, Cape Coast and Techiman coming online, UEW’s physical development is keeping pace with its academic ambitions.
The result is a modern, vibrant campus equipped to offer students a conducive atmosphere for learning, research and personal growth.
Global Partnerships and International Opportunities
In an increasingly interconnected academic world, UEW has actively built international partnerships to broaden opportunities for its students and faculty.
The university’s global engagement is evident through multiple recent collaborations that enhance its academic profile and provide cross-border learning experiences. For instance, UEW has forged a sister-city educational alliance with Charlottesville, Virginia (USA) — home to the University of Virginia — aimed at fostering cultural exchange, educational linkages, and even healthcare support between the two communities.
This partnership is paving the way for a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Virginia that will enable student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and shared academic resources between Winneba and Charlottesville.
Such a connection gives UEW students exposure to international perspectives and best practices, enriching their academic experience.
Similarly, UEW has deepened ties with European institutions: notably, it recently signed a third MoU with the University of Potsdam (Germany) to expand a partnership that now spans all departments of UEW.
This comprehensive agreement with Potsdam facilitates collaborative research, teaching initiatives, and exchanges of students and staff, creating a robust two-way flow of knowledge and expertise.
Leaders from both UEW and Potsdam have emphasized the mutual benefits of this relationship – from co-developing online courses to sharing strengths in teacher education and special needs education.
Beyond these, UEW is exploring academic linkages with institutions in places like Seychelles and Switzerland, reflecting its ambition to be an internationally reputable center of teacher education.
Back home, the university’s commitment to internationalization also manifests in hosting global workshops and conferences, and inviting scholars from around the world. By choosing UEW, students gain access to this growing global network – whether through study-abroad opportunities, internationally recognized curricula, or the chance to learn from visiting professors.
UEW’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual encapsulated the philosophy: “At UEW, we believe that strategic collaborations are key to achieving our mission of training highly skilled professionals… we equip students with vocational and STEM skills, preparing them for a rapidly evolving global workforce.”. This global outlook means a qualification from UEW is not just grounded in local expertise, but also enriched by international standards and connections.
Graduates as Agents of Transformation
Caption: Graduating students at a recent UEW congregation ceremony. Each year, thousands of UEW alumni join the workforce as qualified teachers, administrators, and innovators, ready to drive positive change in their communities (Image: UEW).
Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose UEW for your next qualification is the university’s proven track record of empowering graduates to become true agents of transformation in society.
UEW’s mission of “Education for Service” is not just a slogan – it is reflected in the outcomes and impact of its alumni across Ghana and beyond.
In the latest academic year alone, UEW held two congregation ceremonies (in late 2024 and early 2025) that saw over 16,000 students graduating with diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications.
Each of these graduates has been equipped with not only academic knowledge but also the values and skills to lead and innovate. University leadership often reminds students of the higher purpose of their education.
“You are not just recipients of degrees – you are ambassadors of change, innovation and hope,” Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mitchual observed, urging new graduates to apply their training in service of their communities.
This ethos is embedded in UEW’s curriculum and extracurricular programmes, which emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical leadership.
The university regularly engages students in community outreach, from teacher trainees volunteering in rural schools to various service-learning projects.
UEW has even launched a Vice-Chancellor’s Community Initiative Project to deepen its societal engagement through education, skills training and financial assistance programs.
The goal is to ensure graduates leave not only with a certificate, but with a sense of mission as nation-builders and change-makers. National stakeholders echo this sentiment: Ghana’s President has charged UEW to produce graduates “moulded to take on opportunities… through innovation and creativity” in the modern economy.
Indeed, UEW alumni form the backbone of Ghana’s education sector – as teachers, school heads, and education policymakers – and many have branched into other fields, carrying with them the training to adapt and lead.
By choosing UEW, you join a tradition of excellence and service, positioning yourself to not only advance your career but also contribute meaningfully to societal progress.
In the trusted, time-honored style of reporting that echoes Walter Cronkite’s straightforward tone, the facts about UEW speak clearly: it is an institution where infrastructure, academics, support and vision converge to create a fertile ground for transformation.
For anyone seeking their next qualification, the UEW advantage is the assurance of a quality education that equips you to make a difference in the world.
The writer is a lecturer at the Department of Food and Nutrition Education, Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education, University of Education, Winneba.
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