Reported by, Nsor Paul mensah.
Wisconsin International University College launch the first ever independent paper-based Occupational English Test Centre in Ghana and perhaps the whole of West Africa.
OET is an international test that assesses the English language and clinical communication skills of healthcare professionals who seek to register and work in an English-speaking country.
The understanding is that candidates who pass this test are capable of providing high quality and safe patient care.
According to the Director, Center for professional studies Mr, Charles Achiampon, The establishment of this Centre was made possible through a partnership agreement between Wisconsin Int. University College, Ghana and Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Inst. The unique thing about this Centre is that, unlike the computer-based tests done in other Centres in West Africa, the tests here will be paper-based, thereby leaving the full control of the test in the hands of the candidate.
He assured that, the challenges that candidates experience with the computer based assessments will be eliminated.
The Centre is equipped with all the required facilities according to OET standards. The interlocutors, invigilators and administrators have all been recruited and given the appropriate orientation in readiness for the start of the exams.The first test starts on 19 November, 2022 .
"In future, we hope to open Centres in other locations such as Kumasi in order to get closer to our potential customers. It is the dream of Wisconsin International University College Ghana to assist Ghana's professional healthcare sector to raise its international standards and become a beacon for best practice in healthcare throughout Africa.This will enable Ghana to build on its strengths, build expertise and deepen its knowledge base".
Mr. Achiampon noted that, all these arrangements have been made possible because we have the experience and we know we are going to deliver the best of service to our participants because we have a vibrant unit of the University which is going to ensure that the programme succeeds.
Our Centre for Professional Studies has distinguished itself in running short courses in the areas of Security, Paralegal Studies, Health and Safety, among others Wisconsin International University College is a household name among people in the security agencies, public and private companies. We have excelled in these areas because we have been able to build on our resources internally and through collaborations in order to carry out our programmes. Indeed, we have, in collaboration with our partners in the United States, just established a Neurodiagnostic Centre for testing patients with various mental problems and will be launching that one too very soon.
In conclusion the Director Centre for professional studies review that, Wisconsin International University College is determined to move out of the traditional university setting into a modern institution that will respond to the needs of the modern Ghanaian society.
Professor Obeng Mireku the president of Wisconsin International University College, Explain that In 2020, the University through its professional studies center began the application process with Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA) the Law owner of the Occupational English Test (OET) worldwide.
Unlike other English Proficiency examinations, the OET is an internationally recognized examination designed for healthcare professionals. Candidates will be tested on their command of the English language and clinical communication skills to provide world class quality and safe healthcare for patients. Specifically, candidates will be assessed on their English language proficiency levels in four key areas; namely, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The United States of America is the latest country, amongst others, to recruit healthcare professionals with OET certificates in English proficiency.
This latest milestone is in line with the university's mission to develop world-class human resources equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet national development needs, and global challenges through quality teaching, learning, research, knowledge dissemination and collaboration with key stakeholders.