The GIJ Estates Department forms and sustains the physical environment, support services, and utilities essential for the advancement of the educational and research goals of the Institute. In order to promote a high quality of service, the department strives to attain effective communication and coordination between our end users and other multi-functional groups.
The Estates department is always here supporting the Institute. During periods of active lectures and exams, our staff carries on twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, through rain or shine, so that the GIJ community can move forward.
Whether we’re repairing faulty systems or overseeing a building project, our team solves problems and keeps the Institute running.
The department was first established in 2007 as the Physical Development and Maintenance Service (PDMS) unit to oversee all maintenance works. It was headed by Mr. Francis Asigri (Senior Assistant Registrar) until his retirement in 2018. Following that, the department was headed by Mr. Inusah Yakubu the current Principal Administrative Assistant of the unit. In recent times, the unit has undergone a restructuring process to streamline its operations in order to maximize the efficient and effective delivery of support services, while at the same time maximizing value for money. As part of the process, the unit has been renamed as the Estates department, and is currently being headed by Ms. Vonnette Ofosu-Asante (Assistant Registrar).
Mission
To provide stewardship, services, and best value to the physical resources of GIJ, that is reflective of the academic and research missions the Institute upholds.
Vision
In collaboration with the GIJ community, we will:
- Provide a safe and functional workplace environment
- Value innovation, teamwork and professionalism to achieve the best possible results
- Emphasize quality and excellence throughout our activities and in the delivery of our services
- Construction of GIJ new lecture hall complex almost over
Located on the easily accessible Adamafio Link, approximately 290m off the George W. Bush Highway, GIJ’s new campus sits on over 35,000.00 m² of land, with a fit out lecture hall complex that has a total floor area of approximately 10,473.55 m² and includes a 302 seater auditorium, 10 lecture halls, each with a 200 seater capacity, 2 libraries, each with a 100 seater capacity, a seminar room, various offices and communal spaces.
The overarching goal for the relocation of GIJ is to propel the academic and social goals of the Institute. All decisions throughout the process were steered by the Institute’s ideals of empowering its students to achieve their academic goals.
Additionally, GIJ now has an opportunity to establish a campus with a clear identity. The design facilitates processes so that students can focus on their education. This starts with the ample space of the new campus, that can allow for multifunctional structures, recreational facilities and hostel facilities which our current campus cannot accommodate. There is also ample parking.
The atrium also provides a sense of brightness. A good portion of classes takes place at night therefore making the choice of light fixtures a vital design element. The type of finishes used, and furniture selected are meant to create a professional setting that sustains the diversity in ages of the student body.
- GIJ develops framework for a quieter campus
With several of GIJ students and employees now engaged in working and learning off-campus as part of the Institute’s response to Covid-19, there is the need to develop a framework to temporarily manage access to GIJ’s premises.
This framework developed and implemented by the Academic Affairs Unit and the Estates Unit is the latest step in GIJ’s efforts to safeguard the health of faculty, staff, and students by promoting social distancing and minimizing the density of the on-campus population.
Students who wish to use the premises must request online, three days in advance, through the Academic Affairs Unit. This implies that GIJ is currently only accessible to students who request and receive approvals from the Assistant Registrar of the Academic Affairs Unit. This has proven to be a great solution to minimize the density of the on-campus population.
Concentrating GIJ’s support services on its active lecture rooms (D5, D4, D3, D2, C1, C2, C4, B1 and B2) and offices will also help essential staff who remain on campus, such as those within the department who provide custodial services, take care of those facilities that remain in operation, and protect the
safety and security of those who are still working on campus.