Dr. Ayensu-Danquah defends professorship, stating 15 years of teaching surgery

Deputy Well being Minister-designate Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah has robustly defended her use of the title “Professor”, stating she has been educating surgical procedure for not less than 15 years.

Her clarification got here in response to probing questions from Minority Chief in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who sought to know the premise of her professorial title within the context of educational norms when she appeared earlier than Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin, noting her “14-page CV”, requested Dr. Ayensu-Danquah to make clear whether or not she ought to be addressed as “Physician” or “Professor” and which title matched her rank.

In her response, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah affirmed, “Each do. I’m a Professor of Surgical procedure on the College of Utah in america.”

The Minority Chief then pressed additional, drawing a distinction with the Ghanaian educational system, the place a PhD usually precedes an Affiliate Professor rank, adopted by a full Professorship, typically requiring in depth publications and analysis.

He requested her to make clear the jurisdiction the place she earned the title and whether or not she held a doc from a licensed physique confirming the conferment, as is customary in Ghana.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah defined the divergence in educational methods.

“Thanks, Mr. Chair. The American system is totally totally different from the Ghana system,” she said. “I’m a Professor of Surgical procedure. I’ve been educating surgical procedure for not less than the final 15 years.”

She additional elaborated on the character of surgical schooling, emphasising its sensible element.

“Surgical procedure is a talent. So we educate within the theatre. We do not educate solely within the classroom. As we’re doing classroom work, we’re additionally doing educating within the theatre. I’m a full Professor of Surgical procedure on the College of Utah and a Professor of International Surgical procedure.”

Understanding Tutorial Titles: Ghana vs. the US System

The alternate highlighted a standard level of confusion relating to educational titles throughout totally different increased schooling methods. In Ghana and plenty of Commonwealth international locations, the development to full professorship usually entails:

1. Lecturer: Entry-level educational place, often requiring a PhD.
2. Senior Lecturer: Requires extra expertise, publications, and generally administrative roles.
3. Affiliate Professor (or Reader): A big step, requiring substantial analysis, publications, and educating expertise, typically involving a rigorous assessment course of.
4. Full Professor: The very best educational rank, reserved for students with an excellent report of analysis, publications, educating, and infrequently important contributions to their area at nationwide or worldwide ranges. The conferment is a proper course of by the college.

In america, whereas an identical hierarchy exists, the particular necessities and pathways can range considerably between establishments and even departments.

In medical schooling, notably in medical fields like surgical procedure, the title of Professor will be granted primarily based on a mix of:

• Scientific Experience and Educating: Intensive expertise in practising and educating superior surgical methods in a hospital or medical setting, immediately mentoring residents and fellows in working theatres.
• Analysis and Publications: Whereas typically in depth, the steadiness between pure educational publications and medical analysis or contributions to medical observe can differ.
• Management and Service: Contributions to departmental management, medical societies, {and professional} service.
• Years of Service: Vital tenure at a college or educating hospital.

For medical professors, educating is usually performed on the bedside, in working rooms, and thru mentorship, complementing conventional classroom lectures.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s assertion of “educating surgical procedure for 15 years” in a medical setting aligns with the everyday development for medical professorships within the American system.

The Appointments Committee’s scrutiny of such particulars is a typical a part of the vetting course of, making certain that appointees’ credentials are clear and understood by the general public, particularly given the differing educational terminologies throughout worldwide jurisdictions.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s clarification goals to guarantee each the committee and the general public concerning the legitimacy of her educational standing.

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