Matriculation ceremonies have been held for Distance Education students admitted to the University of Ghana in the 2015/2016 Academic Year.
Ceremonies were held concurrently at the Accra Learning Centre of the School of Continuing and Distance Education for students from the Takoradi, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Tsito, Tema and Accra Learning Centres; in Tamale for students from the Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa Learning Centres, and Kumasi for students from the Kumasi and Sunyani Learning Centres.
The Vice-Chancellor, addressing matriculants at the Accra ceremony; congratulated the students for gaining admission to the University of Ghana and reminded them of the need to manage their time effectively, to study diligently and to be able to graduate at the end of their study period with good grades. He asked them to take advantage of every facility that is offered to develop themselves and to prepare for their future opportunities and challenges.
He asked the matriculating students to make use of available technology to acquire knowledge, and encouraged them to read and prepare adequately before going to class so that they could challenge their lecturers to give of their best. He also advised them to read the students’ handbook to be conversant with the regulations that govern their studies, read notices at their Centres and on the College website, and pay attention to University rules and regulations. He pledged the University’s preparedness to go the extra mile to ensure the smooth running of their programmes.
The Registrar administered the matriculation oath to students in Accra, and supervised the signing of the matricula by Ms. Sandra Ayorkor Botchway, a Level 200 Nursing student, on behalf of the matriculating students.
The Vice-Chancellor was represented in Tamale by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Professor Kwame Offei, and in Kumasi by the Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Professor Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi.
The matriculation oath was administered by the College Secretary of the College of Education, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, in Kumasi, and by Mrs. Cynthia Adu, the College Academic Affairs Officer, in Tamale.
In their speeches on the expectations of students, Ms. Sandra Ayorkor Botchway, in Accra, Mr. Mr. Andrew Kwaku Fosu in Kumasi, and Ms. Zuleihatu Abdul-Rahaman in Tamale, expressed the students’ appreciation to the University for giving the opportunity to workers to assess further education without having to take time off work. They pledged on behalf of their fellow students, to ensure that they abide by the rules and regulations of the University, and make the best of the opportunity offered them. The students called for improvement in various areas to enhance their studies; including:
- challenges with internet connection off-campus;
- more flexibility in the payment of fees;
- the establishment of counseling units in each Regional Learning Center;
- the establishment of library facilities in all learning centers.
A total of 1584 students accepted offers to enroll on the Distance Education programme in the 2015/2016 academic year; with a 45 percent increase in enrolment at Level 100 and a 14 percent increase in Level 200 enrolment figures over figures from the 2014/2015 academic year.
Also present at the ceremony in Accra were the Professor John Owusu Gyapong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), and Reverend Professor Cephas Omenyo, Provost, College of Education, tutors on the Distance Education programme, and other officials of the College of Education.
The ceremonies in Tamale and Kumasi were attended by religious and traditional leaders and representatives of educational institutions from the respective cities, as well as coordinators of Regional Learning Centres.
The following programmes are run at the University’s Learning Centres in the 10 regional capitals; through a combination of distance learning and face to face interaction:
• Bachelor of Science in Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Level 200 admissions only)
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Arts
• Diploma in Adult Education
• Diploma in Youth and Development
The School of Continuing and Distance Education is working on the introduction of additional diploma programmes at the Regional Learning Centres.
