GCTU holds 28th Congregation Ceremony
On Saturday, 27th November, GCTU held its 28th Congregation since its inception as a University in 2006. The Ceremony was once again held virtually, demonstrating the University’s unbridled commitment to the promotion of technology and innovation in terms of teaching, learning and the general administration of the institution. The event was organized to confer various degrees on a total of 260 graduands, comprising 110 Undergraduate, 144 Master’s and 6 PhD candidates. As a result of the prevailing COVID protocols, however, only the PhD and Master’s distinction graduands were physically present, while the remaining contingent took part virtually on Facebook, YouTube and the GCTU website.
Along with members of Convocation and Management, the Congregation was attended by some of the newly inaugurated Governing Council members, led by Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare, the Council Chairman, who constituted and dissolved the ceremony. The keynote speaker for the 28th Congregation was Mr. Richard Okyere-Fosu, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), and in his address he gave an in-depth and enlightening insight into the dynamics of contemporary STEM education which was based on the theme of the graduation; “STEM education in the 21st Century: Opportunities for GCTU”.
Mr. Okyere-Fosu spoke candidly about the importance of STEM Education, particularly its impact in terms of forging a practically-oriented learning experience which would impart critical problem-solving skills for those who would have the opportunity to benefit from it.
He also urged the graduands to make the most of the education they had received at GCTU, encouraging them to think outside the box, stating specifically that they should always endeavor to “Be creative, adapt, show dynamism and question things”. He also commended the Management of the University for their contribution, alluding to their “assertive efforts in building an academic and professional environment which focuses heavily on technology oriented education and mentorship.”
The Congregation was also addressed by the GCTU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, who gave his traditional update on happenings within the University, also informing those gathered of his impending Investiture as Vice-Chancellor on the 18th of December, 2021. In addition, Prof. Afoakwa offered words of encouragement to the graduands in his address, urging them to challenge and develop themselves by “building new knowledge and not accepting the status quo as is.”
He closed his address by thanking the staff at GCTU for their continuous dedicated efforts in ensuring that the University continues to grow and realize its strategic goals.
The Overall Best Student for this graduation was Ms. Abigail Tiaa Dadzie, a Coventry University Master’s student and in the valedictory address on behalf of her fellow graduates, she acknowledged the various contributions of family, mentors, friends, loved ones and the entire GCTU community. She urged her fellow graduands to place the onus on themselves in terms of national development, imploring them by asking “what could be done with the knowledge and skills gained while at GCTU to help Ghana and beyond after graduating?”
Overall, the event marked another successful occasion and we are especially proud of our new graduates, particularly after the navigating the rigors of their various programmes in tandem with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We congratulate them and wish them the very best for the future and in the words of the Vice-Chancellor, we encourage them “to go out and own the world!”
We also thank all those involved in the organization of the event, your efforts were instrumental in ensuring it was a success.
Thank you.
