Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye on Thursday was inducted as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS) to serve a five-year term.

Prof Teye, speaking at the ceremony pledged to exert energy to push the development agenda of UDS forward, and appealed for unity to ensure continuous academic progress.

He said he would need the support of all to tackle the socio-economic and development problems of UDS through action-oriented and results-based policies, to grow UDS into a more internationally recognised university.

Prof Teye said he would review existing plans of the university and embark on funds raising to continue the development projects initiated by his predecessor.

He promised to improve on the working conditions of staff and offer awards to performing departmental heads as motivation to increase productivity.

“I will take the leadership of UDS as a big challenge but I need the full support of all, including students to ensure that UDS remains attractive to serve the people Ghana.”

He thanked the UDS Governing Council for appointing him as the Vice Chancellor and gave the assurance that he would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Prof Haruna Yakubu, immediate past Vice Chancellor of UDS, catalogued the achievements of the university since he took over five years ago, and advised Prof Teye to leave no stone unturned to ensure success.

He appealed to government to lift the ban on employment on tertiary institutions so that UDS could engage people to improve academic work since there are vacancies.

Prof Stephen Bugu Kendie, Provost of the College of Humanities, Law and Business, University of Cape Coast, and UDS Council Chairman, who inducted Prof Teye assured the Council’s continued support for UDS to improve.

He said UDS is a fertile ground for career progression and advised Prof Teye to strive harder and help build UDS to befit its status.