University of Business and Integrated Development Studies halts new courses

The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) has suspended the rollout of all new academic programmes following a parliamentary investigation into accreditation, staffing, and debt issues. The university was forced to independently resubmit 177 academic programmes for accreditation after its former parent institution declined to process them.

During a parliamentary oversight visit, officials raised concerns regarding the university's ability to sustain its curriculum with only 227 lecturers. Joseph Kwame Kumah, Vice-Chairman of Parliament's Education Committee, warned that running unaccredited programmes alongside faculty shortages poses significant risks to enrolled students. Additionally, lawmakers questioned the feasibility of the university's plan to launch a medical school by 2027 without a dedicated teaching hospital.

UBIDS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, attributed the institution's financial and infrastructural challenges to external factors, noting that the government owes the university GH¢114 million for land acquisition. The inquiry also highlighted a significant imbalance in student populations, with 1,898 weekend master's students compared to 356 regular students.