GCTU Celebrates 31st Graduation Ceremony and Remarkable Progress
The Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) has celebrated its 31st graduation ceremony with a call on the graduates to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
The ceremony which took place on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the main campus, witnessed the conferring of degrees and diplomas on a total of 1,147 students, including seven Ph.D students, 103 master’s students, and 1,037 undergraduate students.
The forecourt of the university was packed with enthusiastic graduands, families, and esteemed guests who graced the occasion. Among the attendees was the Guest of Honour, Mr. Samuel Dubik Mahama, Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana, who made a call for the graduands to be entrepreneurial in their thinking and not join the long list of job seekers.
“The saddest thing is to be graduating thinking that you are looking for employment. Think about how you can rather employ others, it is not that difficult, because with ICT, that gap can be closed,” Mr. Dubik said.
He encouraged graduands to leverage ICT’s power in driving sustainable development and emphasized their moral obligations and the importance of using ICT ethically and responsibly. Mahama stressed that ICT has the potential to create positive change and urged the graduands to embrace their role as change-makers in the world. He also urged graduands to view their future as a result of their own free will and not be limited by their past.
Mr. Dubik used the occasion to appeal to the Ghanaian public to pay their electricity bills for the company to be able to deliver quality services.
Professor Kofi Awusabo-Asare, the University Council Chairman, who officially declared the ceremony open, emphasized the university’s commitment to enhancing graduation numbers by prioritizing student satisfaction.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the graduands and celebrated the university’s remarkable progress over the past three years. He emphasized the university’s vision to create a technology hub akin to the prestigious Silicon Valley, fostering innovation and development.
Strong Academic Partnerships
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted GCTU’s role as a pioneer in transnational education, with partnerships with esteemed universities worldwide. He maintained that those collaborations have provided students with valuable global exposure and enhanced employability.
Commitment to Student Centeredness
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the university’s commitment to student-centeredness, mentioning various initiatives to improve campus life and academic experiences. This includes equipping lecture rooms with state-of-the-art teaching and learning aids, constructing a sports complex, and providing round-the-clock health services through the school infirmary.
Appreciation
Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, also expressed gratitude to parents, guardians, faculty, staff, and all stakeholders who supported the graduands throughout their educational journey.
Celebrating Excellence
During the ceremony, 33 special awards were presented to graduands who excelled in various programmes. Susanna Frimpong was honoured with the Overall Best Undergraduate Student Award for her outstanding performance in Business Administration – Accounting, while Bernard Doviah received the Overall Best Graduate Student award for Engineering and Management.
Valedictory Address
The valedictorian for the graduating class of 2021/22, Sussana Frimpong who was chosen after winning the Overall Best Undergraduate Student Award, expressed pride in their achievements. She lauded the graduating class for overcoming the hurdles associated with life on campus and feels they are well-equipped to be valuable human resources for organizations.
Conclusion
The ceremony concluded on a high note, with the GCTU choir and the Ghana Police Band adding a touch of melodious splendor. The university looks forward to a promising future, driving innovation, excellence, and transformation in the fields of education and technology.
