A professor of Development Planning, and a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD. UBIDS), Prof. Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, has been settled on and invested as the Vice-Chancellor of the University in the Upper West Region.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the University (SDD–UBIDS), Kweku Yamoah Paintsil,
Esq. who performed the investiture, decorated the new Vice-chancellor with the official red and blue colour robes and inducted him into office.
“As Chairman of the University Governing Council, I hereby invest you, Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile as Vice-Chancellor of Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, this Thursday, 26th September, 2024,” he stated.
The Council Chairman again led him [Vice-Chancellor] to take the Oath of Secrecy.
Shortly after his Investiture process, the University Council Chairman, various dignitaries and guests took turns to congratulate Prof. Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile for ascending to the highest office.
rofessor E. K. Derbile, has over 24 years work experience in academia, rising through various academic ranks in the university system from 1999 till his current state.
Born on 25th September 1976 in Jirapa, he had most of his primary school education in Navrongo at Dokomolo Primary School, up to Primary 5 (now Adabeyere Primary School) between 1981 and 1986. His journey started in 1999 when he joined the Department of Planning, Land Economy and Rural Development in the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) at the Navrongo Campus of UDS as a Teaching Assistant.
He was subsequently appointed Senior Research Assistant in 2000 and Lecturer in September 2003 in same department based on his academic progress. Between 2004 and 2006, he supported the transition of FIDS from the Navrongo Campus to the Wa Campus, shuttling between the two campuses and teaching undergraduate students on both campuses until all students in the Integrated Development Studies programme of FIDS completed their studies at the Navrongo Campus.
In 2013, Professor Derbile was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Planning and Land Management in the Faculty of Planning and Land Management (FPLM) at UDS Wa Campus.
Five years later, in 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Development Planning. In February 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Full Professor of Development Planning in the same department, but this time, in a fully-fledged autonomous Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS).
In his career as an academic, Professor Derbile has taught several courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at SDD-UBIDS and other universities in Ghana and beyond.
He has also successfully supervised several undergraduate students’ theses, and more than 30 MPhil and 4 PhD theses. He is currently supervising a couple of masters and PhD students. Several of his former students are now Senior Lecturers in this university and other universities. Others are in the professorial rank in this university, serving in various capacities.
Professor Derbile has researched and published extensively in both local and foreign scientific outlets, addressing the subject of environmental change, particularly vulnerability to climate change, livelihood sustainability, endogenous knowledge systems and development, including local knowledge systems and the policy implications for development planning.
Some of his research and publications address the subject of health financing and equity related issues in healthcare services and utilisation. Currently, he has more than 60 peer-reviewed publications to his credit in top-tier journals and books.
His Journey and Experience in Academic Administration Professor Derbile has extensive experience in academic administration, from 2004 to date. He has endured the challenging experience of combining administration with teaching, research and community extension, especially in the formative years of the UDS Wa Campus and SDD-UBIDS.
Within a period of 20 years (2004 to 2024), he served in virtually all-important positions in the university system, from Coordinator for the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), Faculty Coordinator of Postgraduate Programmes, Head of Department, Vice-Dean to Dean of Faculty for two-terms (six years) between 2004 and 2018. In 2019, the Governing Council of UDS appointed him as Acting Principal of the Wa Campus, during which he played a leadership role in its transition from a Campus of UDS to a fully-fledged university. He served in this position until July 2020 when the Interim Council of SDD- UBIDS appointed him as Foundation Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University to serve for a term of three years.
Subsequently, Professor Derbile was appointed by the Governing Council of the University to support the establishment of the new University. He played a key role in supporting the Foundation Vice-Chancellor and Management to address some critical and strategic needs, including restructuring of the university, accreditation and running of academic programmes, development of University Statutes and other important policies. He also managed the inception of new Faculties and Schools, supporting their setting-up and managing their taking-off until substantive Deans were appointed. These include: School of Education and Life-Long Learning (SoELL), Faculty of Public Policy and Governance (FPPG), School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) and School of Law.
In August 2023, the Governing Council of the University reappointed Professor Derbile to serve another term of three years as Pro Vice-Chancellor. He served in this role until 15th January 2024, when the Governing Council appointed him as Acting Vice-Chancellor. With effect from May 2024, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of SDD-UBIDS by the Governing Council after the Search Committee completed the search process for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor. As a result of serving in all key positions he occupied over the years, he has extensive and in-depth experience serving on almost all boards and committees key to university governance at UDS, and now at SDD-UBIDS.
Story By Ibrahim A. Wangara|3news.com|Ghana|
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