Some 515 students have graduated at the Second Session of the 13th Congregation of the University Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The graduating students, drawn from the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies, form part of the 2020/2021 cohort from which about 3,640 students will be graduating this year.
The first session took place in July and witnessed the graduation of 870 students.
The annual graduation ceremony was for the second year held without guests and well-wishers in adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor Abednego F. O. Amartey, in his address to Congregation on Tuesday, 12th October, noted that UPSA is maximising the opportunities provided by online education tools, such as the optimisation of the UPSA Learning Management System, for effective teaching and learning.
He said the emergence of COVID-19 has presented a new normal which has necessitated the adoption of a new approach to teaching and learning.
“With COVID-19 thrust upon all of us, it goes without saying that the blend of in-person and off-campus learning is here to stay,” he said.
“This new normal has not always been easy to navigate, and I am grateful to our students, especially today’s graduands, for rising above the challenges and embracing this new paradigm shift in course delivery for Ghanaian universities.”
Prof. Okoe Amartey emphasised that UPSA’s investments in technology (focused on elevating online teaching and learning space and capabilities) have so far paid off and the University will continue on that trajectory.
“The University’s state-of-the-art Library now includes a vast array of online resources for research, and reference for faculty, staff and students.”
He further added that the University has, in recent times, provided about 400 pro-licenses of Zoom web conferencing software to all faculty members to support online teaching and learning.
Graduation Statistics
The Faculty of Information Technology and Communication presented a total of 515 students for graduation. Out of this figure, 222 were degree students and 293 were diploma students.
From the degree student two (2) obtained First Class, 82 obtained Second Class Upper, 107 obtained Second Class Lower, 30 were Third Class and one (1) person had a Pass.
Seven (7) of the diplomates attained Distinction, while 206 obtained credit with 80 Passes.
Advice to graduands
The Vice-Chancellor reminded the graduands not to be oblivious of the times they find themselves but rather adapt to the rapidly changing times as they enter into the uncertain and ever-changing world of work.
“My advice to you, my dear graduands, is to work hard and excel wherever you find yourselves. I entreat you to become worthy ambassadors of this great University by exhibiting the values and tenets you have imbibed over the period of your studies.
“Be agents of change wherever you go by displaying high levels of integrity, discipline, professionalism and above all Godliness in all spheres of your endeavors.”
Congregation Speaker
Sharing his experience over the past two decades, Peace FM journalist, Mr Kwame Sefa Kayi, the congregation speaker, advised the graduands to take advantage of the little opportunities that come their way as they enter into “the real world”.
He said in those little opportunities lay greater professional breakthroughs.
Mr Sefa Kayi further entreated the graduating students to prepare for the tough world ahead and eschew any sense of entitlement.
“The world is not the kind of world that has open hands and will gladly welcome you. The world out there will not give you a drink, give you a seat [nor] make things very easy for you,” he said.
“It is going to be a very long and hard road to success which I am sure all of you aspire to. In all, believe in yourselves, work hard and the future will be good.”
Source: University of Professional Studies
