university of professional studies - Accra

History of the University

TheUniversity of Professional Studies,Accra(UPSA) is a public university that provides both academic andbusinessprofessionaleducationinGhana. With over forty (40) years of experience, the University has gained a reputation as the oldest professional accountancy and management tuition provider having many of its products in key leadership positions inGhanaand elsewhere. The University was the first and is still the only public institution with the mandate to offer both academic degrees and provide training for higher Professionaleducationin Ghana. The University currently has a student population of about ten thousand (10,000).

The University was founded in 1965 as a private professionalbusinesseducation tuition provider and was taken over by government in 1978 by the Institute of Professional Studies Decree, 1978 (SMCD 200). It was subsequently established as a tertiary institution with a mandate to provide tertiary and professional education in the academic disciplines of Accountancy, Management and other related areas of study by theInstitute of Professional Studies Act, (Act 566),1999.

The then IPS had been offering tuition for variousbusinessprofessionalprogrammesthat were internationally recognized. In this respect, the University has contributed immensely to the teaching and practice of Accountancy and Management in Ghana.

In September 2005, the then Institute introduced Bachelor Degree Programmes in its various mandated disciplines to give meaning to the IPS Act 566. It received a Presidential Charter in September 2008, conferring on it the status of a fully-fledged public university. The University currently offers Undergraduate and Master’s Degrees in several programmes. The combination ofscholarshipwith professionalism is the foundation of the university’s unique profile.

The development of the initial and new range of academic programmes coupled with trends in tertiary education at both local and international levels called for an amendment of the existing Act 566 of 1999. Subsequently, the University of Professional Studies Act, 2012 (ACT 850) was enacted to rename the Institute as a University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

Vision of university of professional studies
To be the world class education provider in both academic and professional discipline, nationally entrenched, regionally recognized and globally relevant.
Credo
Knowledge, a basis for development is relevant when shared and used.
Mission statement of university of professional studies
We strive to provide and promote higher professional education and training in business and other social sciences related discipline by leveraging a structured mix of scholarship with professionalism in Ghana and beyond.We believe our first responsibility is to the students, staff, parents, alumni and all other stake holders. In meeting their need, everything we do epitomize scholarship with professionalism. A scholarship to us means “the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge” and Professionalism means “application of knowledge for development in an ethical way” these two are the key driven forces of UPSA’s existence.
Values of university of professional studies
Integrity, Respect and Service are the key Values of UPSA’s Code of conduct.
Integrity
UPSA is determined to act consistently in accordance with its principles and espoused values.
Respect
Respect in the University’s community means respect for one’s self,othersand the University’s values.
Service
Service in the UPSA community means recognizing social needs and applying our strengths and knowledge to address those needs.
Norms
Developing a system that focuses on the head, heart and hands within an intensive teaching, learning and research environment is the stream flowing through UPSA’s Code of Conduct. We consider the norms stated in the Draft Policy for tertiary education in Ghana as our minimum target to be responsive to and operate within the norms and ethical guidelines of all relevant professional bodies. Continual Improvement is the Hallmark of UPSA’s Vision and Mission.These are what the “People of UPSA” that is Students, Staff, Alumni, Parents; other Stakeholders- strive for always.
Quality Statement
“Superior Educational Value”
Strategic Focus
The strategy is to position UPSA as a unique business education and research model that blends Scholarship with Professionalism and a University of excellence in Africa and beyond.
Major Functional Areas
In achieving its mission and objectives, the University relies on three functional areas which include: