Assessing the Importance and Benefits of Continuing Professional Development to Technical University Lecturers in Ghana

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to find out the importance and benefits lecturers at technical university lecturers in Ghana derive from continuing professional development. The study was qualitative in nature, and a sample size of forty-eighty was chosen. The sample size was chosen from two technical universities. The sample comprised six deans of faculties, six heads of departments, and thirty-six lecturers. Two interview schedules were used for the data collection. One of the interview schedules was used to interview the deans and heads of departments, and the other was used to interview the lecturers. The study revealed that CPD plays an important role for lecturers as it helps them stay abreast with the happenings in their area of specialties. It, moreover, helps them to stay relevant to their students so that the students explore their latent qualities. CPD helps lecturers to gain self-confidence and self-actualization. It equips lecturers to qualify to apply for promotions and appointments. The more the lecturers embark on CPD, they learn the relevant skills to conduct research and come out with innovative results which are published in recognized journals. The benefit the lecturers enjoy is that it helps them to conduct and publish quality results which puts them in a better position to qualify and apply for promotions and appointments. The students benefit from CPD as it helps lecturers to acquire innovative and better teaching methods which make lectures interesting and understanding. It is recommended that all lecturers should make it a policy to attend at least one CPD program a year. Keywords: Professional development, self-actualization, promotion, appointments, and publications.