The Department of Alumni Relations and Institutional Advancement, under the Directorate of University Relations, has hosted the maiden edition of the “Start Right-End Right” Programme for 2026 Level 100 students on March 25, 2026, at the Florence Onny Auditorium.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, commended the organizers for putting together the programme. He stated that GCTU was established to train employers and entrepreneurs rather than employees and therefore urged the students to build strong professional portfolios in order to connect with the right mentors and industries that align with their interests, while also prioritizing capacity building.
In her welcome address, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Emilia Amoako Asiedu, emphasized that building the right connections and planning ahead for the future are essential to achieving success. She urged the students to absorb the information shared during the programme and apply it diligently as they progress through their academic journey. “Do not just pass through the University; allow the University also to pass through you,” she advised.
Delivering her address as the guest speaker and alumna of the University, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ing. Ruhiyah Abubakar, gave a presentation on the topic, “Personal Development Plan: The Key to Academic Success.” She highlighted the importance of time management, stress management and positive thinking in achieving academic excellence.
Prof. Abubakar urged the students to carry out their tasks in order of priority to improve productivity and personal growth. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, gives you high altitude,” she noted.
Delivering his presentation virtually as the second guest speaker, the Chief Executive Officer of Proxima Synergy Ltd, Ing. Kpadey McCoy, focused on the theme of setting goals using the acronym C.L.E.A.R. According to him, effective goal-setting should be:
C – Challenging
L – Legal and Ethical
E – Emotionally Connected
A – Actionable
R – Reviewable
He explained that applying the C.L.E.A.R. principle enables individuals to achieve their goals successfully. Ing. McCoy further urged the participants to build character and resilience, remain accountable and trustworthy and stay focused.
“Being future-oriented, seeking improvement and gaining connections and exposure is the road to Start Right–Finish Right,” he remarked.
The Director of University Relations, Dr. Nusrat Jahan Abubakar, commenced the programme with a brief overview, stating that the “Start Right Finish Right” programme was designed to help students embrace university life with clarity and purpose, while introducing them to the culture, values and expectations of the institution.
According to Dr. Abubakar, the training would equip students to shape their academic success, career paths and long-term connection with the University, ultimately instilling a strong sense of belonging and identity through career guidance, professional insights, direction on personal branding and ethical leadership.
“Your network is your net worth,” said the Alumni President, Ms. Magdalene Lamptey, during her presentation at the event.
Ms. Lamptey advised the students to prioritize time management, personal growth, leadership, networking, discipline, determination, the right attitude and resilience. She emphasized the importance of seeking support when necessary, noting, “It is okay to seek help; the strongest people are those who know when to reach out. Failure is not falling down; it is choosing to stay down when you have the ability to get up.”
Present at the event was the SRC President Mr. Natheniel Akwesi Sarfo who also encouraged the students to employ discipline, respect, dedication and resilience as they journey through the University.
