Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe Constituency , Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has challenged graduates of the University of Professional Studies , Accra (UPSA) to be passionate in using their acquired knowledge to create value and contribute positively to the development of the nation.
The call comes on the back of the University of Professional Studies ,Accra holding the fourth session of its 16th Congregation last Friday , October 31 , 2024 where 906 students who graduated from the School Of Graduate Studies were awarded with various degrees after meeting all academic requirements .
17 students who performed exceedingly well and were top of their respective courses received special awards for their outstanding achievements.
Speaking at the colourful and well attended event, the Guest of Honour, Dr Osei Adutwum admonished the graduates to make sure that all the long years spent in school to acquire knowledge in their various programmes goes a long way to shape society positively and create value that transcends the boundaries of the classroom and create noticeable solutions to identified challenges wherever they may turn up to be good ambassadors for the school and country at large.
” You are a special breed of people created by God like all mankind , but once you have chosen to acquire knowledge to help society ,you must buckle up and use your natural born talents to achieve your maximum potential for the good of society. Do not let your circumstances limit how far you can go with your academic qualifications , go and let the light shine brightest in your various communities and work places with the quality and well rounded education UPSA has imbibed into you for all these years and stand as seasoned changemakers in the hallowed sands of time”.
Also, Dr Adutwum reiterated the strong resolve of the Akuffo -Addo /Bawumia administration to continue spending a huge chunk of its total budget over the last 8 years into the educational sector , which will serve as a propeller for the transformative effect Ghana needs to be able to stay relevant in the comity of nations the world over.
” Over the last 8 years of the current administration of Nana Akuffo Addo , coupled with strong support from Dr Bawumia and my able self , we have sought to invest huge amounts of taxpayers’ money into a key area of the economy like the education space , which we have a conviction is the vehicle needed to take Ghana as a country into the full maximum of its potential as a nation.
We have redefined the refrain that politicians only sweet talk the nation with promises just to win votes , by constructing close to over 6,000 facilities and infrastructure not only at the basic school and SHS levels in terms of classrooms, residential facilities and science labs ,as a way to create equal playing field for all learners to thrive in an ultra competitive world”.
Furthermore , the Outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey was honoured with a citation and memento for his hardwork and selfless service to the institution over the last 8 years in office .
Speaking in his official capacity for the last time at the congregation , Professor Amartey took the audience through the massive transformation of the institution and how strategic he and his leadership worked together to build on the impressive work done by his predecessors through focusing on research enterprise , institutional advancement , targeted students enrolment as well as massive infrastructural development which has achieved the current world class status that attracts tons of both lecturers, students and management personnel.
” It is my outmost pleasure to be able to carry out my last official duties as a VC at today’s congregation and to see the smiles of thousands of students getting rewarded for all their sacrifices both in and out of campus in these past few years today , i will advise them to step out of the four walls of our great mother institution (UPSA) , full of energy , zeal and enthusiasm to create great change in society and use their acquired skills and knowledge to be of help in solving existing challenges in society , the world should be their oyster if they want to leaving lasting footprints in their immediate environments and beyond.
We have strived as a management to create a new strategic vision of an institution that has global appeal and relevance to our constituents where they can achieve their biggest desires in education and knowledge acquisition in all subject matter areas and equip the modern graduates with all relevant arsenals to face the world of work through massive infrastructure development, focus on research enterprise , innovation and sister universities within and without the continent and across the world to leverage on for creating a University of choice in our own unique way”.
In all, UPSA awarded certificates to 5,247 graduates across four out of 5 sessions beginning on Monday , October 28 , comprising 906 postgraduate, 3,711 undergraduate and 630 diploma students.
