GTEC MUST COME CLEAR ON WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE DEGREE UNDER THEIR REGULATIONS

On 22nd October, GTEC wrote to Ag. Vice chancellor of Accra Technical University instructing that, lecturers or staff in the Academic section cannot progress to Associate Professors with Professional Doctorates degrees.

Meanwhile, in a letter from GTEC dated 24th February 2025 addressed to one Mr Kwame Simpe Ofori, who had petitioned the RTI Commission to request details of Prof Ahmed Jinapor’s credentials leading to his Associate Professorship, one would note that, Prof Jinapor has a professional doctorate degree in Education (EdD) from the West Virginia University, USA as part of his credentials.

It’s instructive to note that Professor Jinapor’s degree is NOT a PhD.

It is important to understand that on the website of West Virginia University website, EdD is clearly distinguished from PhD in Education. According to the University course description;

1. The EdD is professional doctorate, the purpose of which is to prepare program graduates for careers as organisational leaders across a range of school, university and community-based settings.

2. ⁠As its primary learning outcome, program graduates develop the competencies needed to facilitate organisational change using data-based approaches to problem solving and decision making.

3. ⁠Our (West Virginia University) EdD students also acquire *complementary skill sets* that enhance their professional readiness in teaching, service, administration and clinical practice.

We need the GTEC to provide clear differentiation between the professional doctorate degree of Prof Jinapor (EdD) and those of the DBA.

He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.