The University of Ghana Biochemistry Students Association (GHABSA), as part of their annual departmental week celebrations, organised an educational fair on February 3, 2023, under the theme “Creating an energizing cycle to sustain lives: Biochemistry, a versatile discipline.”
The event saw an exhibition of products made by student entrepreneurs of the deparment, free health screening exercise, among others.
In attendance were students from senior high schools like the Achimota Secondary School, Accra Girls Senior High School and West African Senior High School.
These students were educated on what “Biochemistry” as a subject entailed, with some Biochemistry students and experts sharing their experiences learning the subject.
Speaking to UniversNews, President of GHABSA, Sultan Harsey, explained that the programme was mainly organised to help people understand the importance of Biochemistry as a course in the functioning of society.
“The idea is to basically help us understand the value of biochemistry. So, [with] COVID, understanding the genome code, understanding the protein, the interactions involved and getting the vaccine, all of that was part of biochemistry. But people didn’t understand the value of this course. Usually, when people come to the department, people don’t really know what biochemistry has to offer. So we orgnaised this fair for the week celebrations, to open the department up to what we do and to let the rest of the world know the opportunities in the course.”
Mr. Harsey also added that the fair was an opportunity for Biochemistry students to display their versatility outside the course, in opposition to the general perception that is held about Biochemistry students being boring.
“Clearly, that mentality is not accurate. And that is one of the reasons we organised this fair. We have students who [whilst] doing Biochemistry are doing several other things as well. So we have people who are into music and dance, we have people who are into business, we also have someone who has a game company or who distributes games. So there are things that we do which is very fun, but we also have the serious side.”
Also speaking to Univers News, Deputy Public Relations Officer of GHABSA, Maa Lankai Quaye, encouraged students aspiring to take the course to be expressive on their interests and identity.
“I would like to tell those coming, because I know they’re coming, don’t limit yourself to what you see or to what you hear. It’s really about finding your interest and then knowing how you can use it in the way you can. Whatever you learn here, you’re not supposed to be restricted. There are protocols that you must follow, but then you identify your interest and then you build on that. You are not here to come and follow someone’s interest or be like Einstein. You are just here to express who you are.”
–
Story by: Deborah Yakohene | univers.ug.edu.gh
