Matriculation ceremonieshave been held for students admitted into the University of Ghana’s Distance Education programme. For the first time, matriculation ceremonies were held concurrently in three regional learning centres; Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. The Accra ceremony was for students in the Tsito, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Accra Learning Centres. Students from the Sunyani and Kumasi learning centres had their ceremony in Kumasi; and the ceremony for the Wa, Tamale and Bolgatanga learning centres was held at Tamale.
In his address,the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, indicated that the decision to hold the ceremonies in three regional learning centreswas part of the long-term goal to transform the regional centres into satellite campuses of the University of Ghana.He noted that,starting from the 2014/2015 academic year,there had been a number of changes in the distance learning mode; aimed at improving on delivery and making the distance learning mode more attractive to students. One of such changes is the restructuring and expansion of the programmes on offer.The offerings for the Bachelor of Arts programme have been reduced to four attractive subject areas and programme offerings have been expanded to include Bachelor of Science programmes in Nursing and Information Technology.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, delivering his address at the Accra ceremony
Starting from this academic year, students were admitted to specific regional centres, and with the improvement of facilities in the centres, students will have all tutorials and examinations in their centres, rather than coming down to Legon, which has been the norm. Also, to enhance teaching and learning, the Distance Education Programmeis being moved away from the use of paper-based teaching materials to Sakai, an eLearning platform.
The Vice-Chancellor attributed most of the changes in the Distance Education programme to the collegiate system of governance which was adopted by the University at the beginning of the 2014/2015 academic year.One of the major objectives for the adoption of the collegiate system is to provide room for schools and collegesto take more decisions on their academic programmes and administration.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the Distance Learning mode has been boosted with a 37.5 million dollar Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project under the Chinese Phase 2 ICT Project. The project, funded with a Chinese Government loan procured by the government of Ghana on behalf of the University, has deployed an integrated Digital Mobile Learning platform for Distance Education. As part of the project, the Accra, Koforidua, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tamale, Tsito, and Wa Learning Centres have been equipped with modern facilities; with each centre provided with ultra-modern computer labs, smart classrooms, a video conference facility, backup generators and outdoor Wi-Fi.In addition, as part of the project; 3000 internet enabled android tablets have been acquired; pre-loaded with the relevant teaching and learning materials, and distributed to newly admitted students.
Professor Aryeeteyadvised students to take good care of the facilities and use them to enhance their studies. He reminded them of their pledge to study diligently and added that it is exciting to gain admission to the University but it is even more fulfilling to graduate and become an alumnus of the University.
He urged the students to take their studies seriously, dedicate specific times for self-study and form study groups to discuss relevant topics and share ideas. Although there would be many distractions, particularly for distance learners, he encouraged them to develop effective strategies for managing their time, to enable them balance the demands of time for study, leisure and work. The Vice-Chancellor also challenged the students to go beyond their set books and texts, read more, and be abreast with events taking place in the world around them. He noted that in today’s global world, it is not enough to study hard and get good grades; to stand out from the crowd, students need to be well-rounded, and have a passion and curiosity about the world around them.
The Vice-Chancellor addressed the ceremony in Accra. In Kumasi the Vice-Chancellor’s speech was delivered by Professor Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)while in Tamale,it was delivered by Reverend Professor CephasOmenyo, Provost of the College of Education.
Provost of the College of Education; Reverend Professor Cephas Omenyo, delivering the address at the ceremony in Tamale
The Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel Ashia, speaking at the Kumasi ceremony, explained the significance of the matriculation ceremony, and later administered the matriculation oath. She was represented by Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, College Secretary, College of Education at the Accra ceremony, and by Mrs. Cynthia Adu, Academic Officer of the College; at the ceremony in Tamale.
Students taking the Matriculation Oath
On behalf of the matriculants; Mr. Michael Amoahin Accra; Mr. Gabriel Ofori Adjei in Kumasi and Mr. Ibrahim BusagriSumani in Tamale;spoke about their expectations of University life and symbolically signed the Matricula on behalf of their colleagues.
Mr. Michael Amoahdelivering his address on Expectations of University Life
As part of the ceremonies, the refurbished computer labs, smart classrooms and video conference facilities in the Kumasi and Tamale Learning Centres were officially launched and guests were taken round the facilities.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (ASA), Professor Kwame Offei, assisted by the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel Ashia and the Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education, Professor Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, formally opens the refurbished facilities at the Kumasi Learning Centre