The College of Science organized its 5th Retreat at Maaha Beach Resort in the Western Region. The Retreat was on the theme "Innovation, Collaboration, and Inspiration: Forging the Future of Science." Running from 23rd October to 27th October 2023, the event brought together a significant turnout of 138 participants, excluding spouses and children, representing a remarkable 92% of the estimated attendance. The retreat comprised diverse activities, aiming not only to foster academic discussions but also community engagement and leisure.
The retreat started with a smooth departure from the Aboagye Menyeh Complex, with a dedicated advance team ensuring a seamless arrival and room allocation for participants at the Maaha Beach Resort. The agenda was packed with enriching sessions, commencing with the formal inauguration by the College Registrar. A series of insightful panel discussions tackled pivotal subjects like the 'State of the College,' 'Preparing Promotion Documents,' 'Welfare Issues and Emotional Intelligence,' and 'Grantsmanship,' providing attendees with valuable insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Beyond academic discussions, the retreat placed a strong emphasis on community outreach and social responsibility. Participants collaborated with Maaha Resort to engage with students from Nkroful and Nsein Senior High Schools. Addressing topics like 'Igniting STEM Curiosity,' 'Unlocking STEM Futures,' and 'STEM Solutions,' aimed to inspire and guide high school students towards embracing science-related careers, particularly encouraging females to consider these fields.
The third day was dedicated to exploration and recreation, featuring visits to Nzulezu via canoe on the lake, a tour of the Aboadze Oil and Gas plant, and a delightful boat ride to Maaha Village. Adding a competitive spirit, a football match between the Faculties of Biosciences and Physical and Computational Sciences entertained participants, with Biosciences emerging victorious. The evening concluded with a lively band performance and dinner, amplifying the retreat's celebratory mood.
Reflecting on the experience, the organizing committee acknowledged the encouraging participation and positive feedback from attendees, highlighting the engaging panel discussions, excellent resort services, and the added value of visiting tourist sites. The committee expresses gratitude to the Provost and College Management for the opportunity to organize this retreat as a significant learning curve, an occasion that not only enriched academic discourse but also fostered a stronger sense of community within the College of Science.
