The University for Development Studies (UDS) has held its 15th congregation at the Tamale City campus where a total of 6,527 students from across its dispersed campuses in the three regions of the north graduated.
The Tamale City campus at Dungu recorded 2,631 graduands.
The graduands were awarded post graduate and under-graduate degrees as well as diploma certificates in the various academic disciplines.
These included Diploma in Integrated Community Development, B.A in Integrated Business Studies, B.A Development Education, B. ED Social Science (Social, Political and Historic Option) and BSc. Renewable Natural Resources (Ecotourism and Environmental Management Option).
[contextly_sidebar id=”AXQTaBACd2Y9vlfGF5Epn9sgdOvx9rIx”]Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Haruna Yakubu in his welcome address recapped his administration’s willpower to continue providing market driven quality education to meet international standards.
He said the UDS was committed to the realization of its vision in line with the national development agenda.
Professor Haruna Yakubu boasted that products of the UDS continued to exhibit highly skilled manpower which cannot be undervalued in the Ghanaian economy.
For the 2014 academic year, he disclosed that a total of 6,027 students gained admission out of which 3,204 secured spaces at the Navrongo, Nyankpala and Tamale campuses.
He extolled members of the various faculties for their tremendous role in getting the graduates to actualize their dreams.
He said the university will continue to sponsor the hard working staff to pursue further studies as best means of enhancing teaching and learning.
Professor Haruna Yakubu announced that a total of 97 staff were on study leave with pay for the 2013-2014 academic year.
According to Professor Haruna Yakubu, the financial support came mainly from the university’s own internally generated funds, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) scholarships, other financial institutions and allied foreign universities.
He challenged the faculty members to remain focused on their research activities.
He appreciated government’s continuous support in the area of physical infrastructure expansion at all the campuses.
He further commended government for the ongoing road construction works.
Professor Haruna Yakubu divulged his administration’s resolve to introduce a mandatory course in ethics and social responsibility.
This in his estimation will contribute to reducing moral decadence which has inundated all spheres of life in Ghanaian communities.
He said the university had substantially produced medical Doctors and other paramedical staff to improve the Doctor-patient ratio.
He bemoaned road indiscipline on the various campuses which said caused the death of some lecturers and students.
He added that Armed Robbers were terrorizing the university’s staff and students across board.
He therefore made a passionate appeal to the nation’s security operatives to ensure maximum safety of staff and students at the various campuses.
Professor Haruna Yakubu urged the Ministries, Departments, Agencies and all the District Assemblies to take advantage of the university’s community engagement programme to address the development needs of the country.
Deputy Minister in charge of tertiary education, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa reaffirmed government’s steadfastness to continue investing in tertiary education.
He said government through the GETFund will complete all ongoing projects in tertiary institutions to create enough space for enrolment.
He unveiled government’s arrangement to establish University of Environment and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Region.
Mr. Ablakwa gave the assurance that the sod cutting ceremony will be done in 2015.
He said government had concluded plans to establish a National Research Fund to cater for the needs of lecturers in all tertiary institutions.
He enticed the UDS lecturers to in a week’s time expect full payment of their accumulated research and book allowances.
Mr. Ablakwa condemned teacher absenteeism and lateness to school.
On the safety of lecturers and students, he asked the Inspector General of Police to provide enough security on all campuses of tertiary institutions.
Some deserving students received prizes and awards for excelling in the various academic disciplines.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana