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The University of Ghana, Legon, is to construct an $80-million transformative "Students’ Experience Centre" to bridge the gap between academic work and leisure to redefine education in a complex world.
The project, which sits on a 5,000-square metre land at the J.J. Rawlings Avenue, near the Legon-Madina stretch, has two huge conference rooms for 2,000 and 3,000 people, respectively.
The other facilities are a 5,000 square metre Artificial Intelligence (AI) centre in Ghana, students lounge, multiple restaurants, a banquet arena, cinema halls, including a plush one reserved for executives, to be called "The Captain's Bridge."
A Ghanaian architectural firm, Messrs Atelier, is to undertake the project within 24 months.
Atelier's choice followed a competition organised in conjunction with the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), dubbed. "The Students Experience Centre Design Competition."
The 13-month project has 12 shortlisted architectural firms from an initial entry of 18. The winner was presented with a dummy cheque for GH¢ 1,382,400, while Multi Cad and Spektra, which placed second and third respectively, went home with GH¢ 691,200 and GH¢ 230,400, respectively.
The other participants received cheques for GH¢64,000 each.
Renowned architectural firm, Messrs Sir David Adjaye and Associates Limited, which designed the National Cathedral, placed fourth.
The project is to be financed by Eban Capital through a series of fundraising activities.
In line with its commitment and vision “to create a culture that promotes research, teaching and learning, administrative processes and extension activities driven by technology and anchored in humanism”, the University of Ghana, as part of the 75th anniversary celebration, developed this legacy project as one of the pathways to achieve the key elements in the vision.
The theme for the 75th anniversary, “Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology, Embracing Humanism” was born out of the vision of the Vice-Chancellor, which also takes its direction from the university’s vision and the multiple and rapid changes occurring in Africa and the global world.
The Vice-Chancellor, Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the project was to fully transform students to confront the world's challenges.
"We are in this together, we have come this far and we will work together," she said.
The Principal, Atelier, Samuel Quartey, mentioned three interns whose gifted skills and commitment won the day for them.
"I also want to congratulate my fellow competitors who pushed us to give our best," he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Eban Capital, Jim Amega, said money was not a problem, promising to live up to the billing.
Beyond the project, the company intends to construct a 5,000-capacity hostel on the UG campus.
Yesterday's event heralded the "Wear UG Day" which will come off on November 20, 2024, to showcase fashion designs from the university's paraphernalia.
