Mrs. Vanessa Appiah-Castel, Registrar of the College of Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has called for a renewed focus on professionalism among administrative staff to enhance efficiency and drive academic excellence.

Her call came during an  administrative retreat organized for staff of the College, aimed at strengthening administrative systems and promote a culture of professionalism and collaboration in line with the broader mission of the University.

Addressing participants in her welcome remarks, Mrs. Appiah-Castel described administrative staff as the backbone of the College's operations, stressing their critical role in shaping its reputation.

"As administrative staff, we are not only facilitators of processes but ambassadors of the College's reputation," she said, urging staff to intentionally build strong professional identities.

She stressed on the need to develop personal brands grounded in competence, professionalism and service excellence.

In her presentation, Mrs. Appiah-Castel outlined professionalism as a key pillar of effective administration, highlighting punctuality, reliability and adherence to ethical standards.

She urged staff to be dependable and proactive in their roles, noting that effective administrators should be able to support their supervisors efficiently and ensure deadlines are met.

The Registrar further also emphasized the need for continuous learning, particularly in digital skills, stating that staff must adapt to the demands of a data-driven workplace.

On communication, she cautioned that both verbal and non-verbal expressions influence professional perception, adding that written correspondence must be clear and accurate to reflect positively on the institution.

She also called on staff to uphold institutional values such as integrity, fairness and service, especially in their interactions with students.
Touching on teamwork, Mrs. Appiah-Castel noted that administrative functions are interdependent and require coordinated efforts across units to achieve results.

She warned that ineffective communication could lead to avoidable errors, stressing the need for clarity, mutual respect and trust in the workplace.
The Registrar further encouraged staff to embrace mentorship, feedback and networking opportunities to enhance their performance and career growth.

Story/Photos by: Edith Asravor