Higher Institution leaders when faced with uncertainty are open to embracing innovation. These leaders judiciously emphasize equity, accessibility, and the collective well-being of the academic community. Through visionary and authentic leadership coupled with meticulous strategic planning, they’ve adeptly capitalized on emergent technologies and pedagogical paradigms. Thus, it is evident that uncertainty, while challenging, has concurrently served as a catalyst for innovation and the unveiling of latent opportunities within the educational domain. HEIs have primarily been known to deliver their core mandate of teaching through the traditional face-to-face mode. The COVID-19 Pandemic destabilized higher education systems, globally, nationally, and locally. This led HEIs to embrace rapid decision-making, technology-enabled learning, and re-imagine internalization. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the gap in preparedness of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for online education for its resident students. In response, the KNUST underwent a swift transformation. Today, the University employs a 50-50 blended learning approach for all its programs. The authors therefore sought to get an understanding of the leadership role in navigating uncertainty and crisis; an appreciation of the approaches to launch e-learning initiatives with the aid of leadership; a recognition and analysis of common challenges faced by institutions when transitioning to tech-mediated student-centric education and an understanding of the function of top management in ensuring the sustainable delivery of quality education. The authors examined various leadership approaches and roles, drawing insights from a case study that revolves around leadership and the student experience. Additionally, the authors will share their perspectives as key individuals working at the intersection of university leadership, student engagement, and e-learning initiatives. The paper will further explore essential concepts, strategies, and valuable insights gained from navigating the pandemic crisis and achieving optimal student and institutional outcomes through effective leadership.

Authors: Christopher Addo, Efua Arku

Published in: Canada International Conference on Education, 2024

• Date of Conference: 23-25 July, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/CICE.2024.0026
• Electronic ISBN: 978-1-913572-65-5
• Conference Location: Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada