Graduands for 5^th Session of 55^th Congregation have been urged to embrace opportunities beyond their areas of study. 

A total of 1,430 postgraduate degree students from the School of Graduate Studies were conferred with their respective degrees at the ceremony.

Out of the number, 11 students graduated with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). 

Key among the personalities were the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Sugandh Rajaram, who graduated with Master of Philosophy (Geography and Regional Planning) whilst the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UCC, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, grabbed Master of Arts in Democracy, Governance, Law and Development. 

Addressing the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Johnson Nyarko Boampong, implored the graduands to make their academic and professional achievements relevant to themselves and families in particular and society at large. 

"As you leave campus into the world of opportunities and threats, take advantage of opportunities by deploying the skills, competences and knowledge you have acquired from this great institution,"  he counselled 

 Deepen Postgraduate training

Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor underlined that UCC would continue to deepen postgraduate training and promote teaching, learning, creativity and research. 

Prof. Boampong stated that faculty  would spare no effort to come up with new programmes that were relevant for the promotion of economic, social, scientific and technological development. 

In view of that, he said, the University was embarking on a campus-wide Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) project to facilitate academic work. 

Achievements 

Among others, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the School had introduced the electronic submission of theses and dissertations to replace the traditional system which mostly required submission of hardbound copies by students. 

He indicated that fifteen (15) new postgraduate programmes were introduced to the existing ones of the University. 

Prof. Boampong extolled the Samuel and Emelia Brew Butler Research Fund for the provision of grants to postgraduate students in UCC. 

The Chancellor, Dr. (Sir) Sam Esson Jonah, in his address, encouraged the graduands to use the skills acquired in the University to the benefit of society. 

He reminded them to remain committed to the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit inculcated in them by UCC. 

Dr. Jonah admitted the economic challenges facing Ghana and urged Ghanaians to avoid blame game. 

The Chancellor, therefore, reminded the graduands to use their knowledge, creativity and passion to make a positive impact on society, while advising them not to shy away from challenges.

Valedictory Speech

In a speech, the best graduating student and valedictorian, Dr. Enoch Danso Okyere, noted that determination, hard work and resilience made postgraduate students complete their academic programmes. 

Dr. Okyere, who enrolled in PhD (Educational Leadership) in 2020, praised faculty at the School of Graduate Studies for their ingenuity, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Source: Documentation & Information Section