Tamale: The University for Development Studies (UDS) has graduated a total of 957 students at its April 2026 Congregation, held in Tamale. Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, Vice-Chancellor of UDS, who announced this at the ceremony, said the figure comprised 416 postgraduate students, representing 43.5 per cent of the total graduands.
According to Ghana News Agency, the postgraduate cohort included 21 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduands, while 333 students graduated with master's degrees, accounting for 80% of the postgraduate group. Additionally, 62 graduands were awarded Postgraduate Diplomas. Professor Al-Hassan noted that 541 graduands, representing 56.5% of the total, were from Nursing and Midwifery programmes.
He stated that the graduates were expected to play critical roles in hospitals, clinics, and underserved communities to contribute to improved healthcare delivery and strengthening national health systems. He emphasized that this achievement reflects UDS's commitment to addressing one of the nation's critical needs: access to quality healthcare.
Professor Al-Hassan highlighted the university's progress across faculties, including Agriculture, Natural Resources, Physical Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Education, Health Sciences, and Business. Graduates are equipped with practical skills to address challenges such as food security, climate change, digital transformation, and economic development.
He also spoke about the university's growing research output and international collaborations, including partnerships under the Erasmus+ programme, which have strengthened academic exchange and research capacity. On infrastructure, he mentioned that the university had commissioned key facilities, including a School of Nursing and Midwifery Complex, Health Sciences Laboratory Complex, Twin Oval Auditorium, Directorate of ICT Building, and a Dental Clinic to enhance teaching, research, and service delivery.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, commended UDS for its contribution to national development and academic excellence. He lauded the ongoing infrastructural expansion at the Tamale campus and noted that the newly commissioned facilities would enhance learning, research, and service delivery.
Mr John assured the university of government's continued support to improve infrastructure in educational institutions to expand access to quality higher education. He urged the graduands to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship and take advantage of opportunities under government initiatives such as the 24-hour economy policy. He encouraged them to uphold values of integrity, service, and community engagement as they stepped into the next phase of their lives.