The Department of Performing Arts of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, UDS, on Thursday, August 3, 2023, launched the UDS Performing arts Ensemble, with a call on performing artists tin the country to use the arts to contribute to national development. The event, which came off at the Principal’s Office Conference Room, saw in attendance the Dean of the School of Public Health Prof Adadow Yidana, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Ibrahim Gunu, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Dr. Edward S, Mahama, the Registrar of the Nyankpala Campus, Dr, Iddrisu Tanko, the Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Abdul Hayi Moomen, Madam Antoinnet Letsa from the Center for National Culture, Executive Director for Kaapuori Children’s Rescue Foundation KCRF, Mrs. Munira Mahama and Faculty members and students of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

On behalf of the Principal of the Nyankpala Campus, Prof. George Nyarko, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Dr. Edward S. Mahama expressed delight at the fact that the long-held dream of establishing a performing arts ensemble at UDS had finally become a reality.

He said increasingly, globally, emphasis is being placed on the importance of emotional intelligence, developing a creative mind and fostering personalities and imaginations especially, by students, as they make their journey through school, to become well-rounded individuals who can contribute to national development.

The Department of Performing Arts of the University for Development studies, UDS, integrates the study of music, dance and culture in a close-knit, collaborative environment. The inspiring and accomplished faculty are internationally renowned scholars, teachers, artists and practitioners.

With the launch of the Performing Arts Ensemble, UDS joins the table of elite Universities across the world in that field. As part of their training, students would now have the unparalleled ability to collaborate with their highly-talented peers across different fields of study - from working with musicians, dancers, and performing artists of every genre to developing next-generation forms of art.

The Department of Performing Arts includes courses in Music, Music, Sound and Technology to professional dance and musical theatre.

The launch was performed on behalf of the Principal of the Nyankpala Campus, by the Dean of the School of Public Health, Prof. Adadow Yidana.

The department brings together the prestigious musical theatre expert, Prof. Michale Frishkopf, a Professor of Ethnomusicology from the University of Alberta, Canada, who doubles as an Adjunct lecturer at UDS department of Performing Arts.

He made a presentation on the topic “Music for Global Human Development”. He emphasized that the launch of the UDS Performing Arts Ensemble,  is an ambitious new strategy by the department to enhance and innovate existing Music and Dance types, to develop a new portfolio in performing arts, creative practice and production, sound and design.

He catalogued a number of projects he had been engaged in in some communities across the Northern Region. He was of the view that music courses should regularly be reviewed to make sure universities are offering distinct industry relevant education.

There was an interactive session that focused mainly on how the arts can be used to accelerate national development.

Story by:
Yussif Ismail (UDS Media)