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Professor Vera Fiador makes history as first female President of UTAG

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 7:46 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Professor Vera Fiador Breaks New Ground as First Female President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences

On a sunny February afternoon, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAG) celebrated a historic moment that resonated far beyond its campus gates. Professor Vera Fiador, a distinguished scholar in Ghana’s humanities, was inaugurated as UTAG’s first female president—an appointment that marked a watershed in the nation’s higher‑education landscape.

A Trailblazing Academic Journey

Professor Fiador’s ascent to the helm of UTAG is rooted in a career that has spanned decades of teaching, research, and public service. Born in the Ashanti Region, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Ghana, Legon, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. Her scholarly focus—modernist literature, post‑colonial studies, and the role of narrative in African identity—has earned her dozens of peer‑reviewed publications and the distinction of being a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Beyond her research credentials, Fiador has been a steadfast advocate for gender equity in academia. As the former Chair of the Ghana Institute of Journalism’s Board of Governors, she championed initiatives that increased women’s representation among faculty and staff. She also served as a member of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), where she pushed for inclusive policies that promote diversity in university leadership.

The Election Process

UTAG’s governing board, composed of university officials, private-sector partners, and government representatives, convened on February 20 to vote on a new president. The board’s mandate is to provide strategic oversight and to select a leader who can steer the university toward its vision of becoming a “world‑class technology and applied‑science hub.” After a rigorous selection process that included interviews and background checks, Fiador emerged as the unanimous choice.

The board cited her “visionary leadership, robust research record, and proven ability to bridge academia with industry” as key factors in her appointment. “We are confident that Professor Fiador’s academic rigor combined with her commitment to inclusivity will catalyze UTAG’s next phase of growth,” read the board’s press release, which was disseminated via the university’s official website (https://www.utag.edu.gh).

Significance for Women in STEM and Higher Education

Fiador’s inauguration is more than a personal triumph; it reflects a broader shift toward gender parity in Ghana’s tertiary sector. According to the Ministry of Education’s 2023 Report on Women in STEM, female representation in leadership roles at universities remained under 10% in 2022. UTAG’s decision signals a tangible step toward rectifying this imbalance.

“In my view, leadership is about representation as much as competence,” Fiador said in her inaugural address. “I am here not only to drive academic excellence but also to serve as a role model for young women who aspire to lead in technology and science.” Her remarks resonated with a crowd that included female students, faculty members, and community leaders. Many highlighted the symbolic power of her appointment, noting that it could inspire a new generation of women scholars to pursue careers in STEM fields.

UTAG’s Vision and Fiador’s Priorities

UTAG, founded in 2016 as Ghana’s first public technology university, currently operates five campuses across the country and offers programs in engineering, computer science, health sciences, business, and applied research. According to its mission statement, UTAG aims to “bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing graduates who are ready to address Ghana’s socio‑economic challenges.”

In her inaugural speech, Professor Fiador outlined a three‑pronged strategy for the university:

1. Strengthening Research Ecosystems – She pledged to increase research funding, establish industry‑led innovation hubs, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the humanities and technical departments.
2. Expanding Access and Inclusivity – Fiador announced plans to launch scholarship schemes targeting under‑represented groups, particularly women and students from rural areas.
3. International Partnerships – She pledged to negotiate partnerships with leading global universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Cape Town, to facilitate student and faculty exchanges.

The president also highlighted the importance of integrating digital literacy into the curriculum. “Our students must be equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with the critical thinking skills that the humanities provide,” she said.

Reactions from Stakeholders

The appointment has garnered enthusiastic support from across the board. The President of the Ghana Association of University Leaders (GAUL) described Fiador’s selection as “a bold and inspiring move that will set a benchmark for other institutions.” In a statement, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) pledged continued collaboration with UTAG to promote equitable access to tertiary education.

Students at UTAG’s Accra campus welcomed the new leadership with a social media campaign that went viral, featuring the hashtag #FiadorForUTAG. “It’s great to see a woman leading a tech university,” posted one student, adding that the new president would “help us feel seen and heard.”

In contrast, some critics cautioned that institutional reforms must accompany symbolic leadership changes. “Symbolic appointments are vital, but they must be backed by actionable policies,” warned Professor Kwame Nkrumah, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana. “UTAG’s commitment to women’s leadership will be measured by tangible outcomes, such as increased female enrollment and faculty representation.”

Looking Forward

Professor Vera Fiador’s appointment is a milestone for UTAG, Ghana, and the wider African academic community. As the university’s first female president, she carries the dual responsibility of steering a complex, multi‑disciplinary institution while also serving as a beacon of possibility for women in technology and the humanities.

The next few years will be telling. If UTAG follows Fiador’s strategic roadmap, the university could become a model for inclusive, industry‑aligned higher education. Meanwhile, her leadership may inspire similar shifts across the continent, helping to redress gender disparities in STEM and academic governance.

For more on Professor Fiador’s background and UTAG’s strategic plans, readers can visit the university’s official website at https://www.utag.edu.gh or consult the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences’ profile on her work. The full article on GhanaWeb, which detailed the historic inauguration, is available here: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Professor-Vera-Fiador-makes-history-as-first-female-President-of-UTAG-2003283.