Accra: Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, the Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University, has urged newly admitted students to ensure that the knowledge they acquire in the classroom is reflected in their daily lives. He warned that separating academic knowledge from practical living undermined national development, stressing that Ghana's progress depended largely on graduates who understood and applied what they learned in school.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that the greatest problem of the nation is the gap between the knowledge acquired and its actual application. He remarked, "If the average Ghanaian graduate truly understood what he or she learnt at the university, Ghana would be in a better place." These comments were made during the university's matriculation ceremony in Accra, which formally admitted 1,562 new students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The new cohort includes 137 postgraduate students, 1,175 undergraduate students, and 248 certificate and professional students, spread across seven faculties and schools, including Theology and Mission, Business Administration, Education, Health and Allied Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering, and Law. Prof Agyapong-Kodua emphasized that matriculation represents more than a ceremonial event, describing it as a commitment to the values and mission of the institution.
He reminded students that education must lead to transformation, stressing that universities should produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also morally upright and socially responsible. "At Pentecost University, we firmly believe that education must lead to transformation. Our goal is not merely to award certificates and degrees but to shape lives that reflect integrity, competence, and godliness," he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor cautioned students against dismissing academic knowledge as mere 'book learning,' noting that such attitudes weakened professional practice and national progress. He pointed out that professionals who failed to apply what they studied contribute to systemic inefficiencies in sectors like healthcare, governance, and the economy.
He encouraged students to approach their studies with discipline and purpose, stressing that their future depended largely on the commitment they show today. He highlighted several institutional developments, including the introduction of a Certificate in Moral and National Development programme to strengthen civic responsibility and ethical leadership.
Furthermore, the university has established a Faculty of Education, which has received accreditation for two programmes: BA in Early Childhood Education and MPhil in Special Needs and Inclusive Education. These new programmes are designed to respond to national and global needs in teacher preparation and inclusive education.
Prof Agyapong-Kodua concluded by encouraging students to pursue excellence and allow their knowledge to influence their character and actions. "Let your time here be marked by diligence, integrity, and spiritual maturity. Allow your mind to be renewed, your character to be refined, and your vision to be enlightened," he advised.