A joint graduation and matriculation ceremony has taken place at the Ghana Christian University Collage (GCUC) at Amrahia, near Accra, last weekend.
The 52nd graduation, 12th congregation, and 10th matriculation ceremony was under the theme, “The role of the Independent Universities in Nation Building.”
The chairperson of the University College Council, Dr (Mrs) Adelaide Kastner, in her address, entreated all to support private universities to enable them to support government’s efforts.
She said private universities had played commendable roles from basic through to tertiary education, therefore, they must be supported by government.
Dr Kastner said it was unfortunate that private universities had to rely on their own scanty resources, which had made it impossible for them to support the desired volume of research.
She said tertiary education driven by research was the bedrock for sustainable economic growth which required substantial commitment and input from stakeholders.
Dr Kastner, therefore, called on the government to revisit the support Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had given to private universities.
The President of the GCUC, Dr Nelson Swedstrup Ahlijah, in an address read on his behalf, said the university had recorded 60 per cent in enrollment figures over last academic year.
He said a number of programmes including staff development, academic performance, and the introduction of a library management system among others were underway.
and appealed to the Adentan Municipal Assembly to set up a scholarship fund for students in the municipality who would like to study in GCUC in the area.
He said the GCUC would soon commence a Masters programme in Development Planning and Management ,and that the university would continue its social responsibility to the community irrespective of its meager resources.
Prof. Gabriel Ayumu Teye, Vice -Chancellor of the University for Development Studies also advised the graduands to be time-conscious, make themselves employable, and added that those already working should add value to their work.
Rev. (Prof) B Y Quarshie said since tertiary education had become competitive, the quality they would add to the knowledge acquired, was the most important thing.
The overall best student, Mr Adu Gyamfi, said perseverance and hard work made him to become successful in the final examination.
He said he would form a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) to work towards disease preventions instead of trying to look for curative measures.
The Students Representative Council’s President, Master Nathan Adu Gyamfi, called on his colleagues to continue their education to the highest level.
By Raymond Kyekye
