The University for Development Studies, UDS, has held its 23rd Congregation Ceremony for students who completed programmes of study in the 2021/2022/ academic year. A total 7072 students graduated, out of which 27 students graduated with PhDs, 261 graduated with Master’s Degrees while 6,784 graduated with various Bachelor’s Degrees.

The ceremony was presided over by the Chairman of the University Governing Council, Prof Wayo Seini. He congratulated the graduating students and reminded the gathering that the Management of the University is committed to improving upon student satisfaction and would do all in its power to provide students with a memorable experience. He urged graduating students to take stock of what they have achieved and make a conscious decision to let their experiences at the University for Development Studies (UDS) count in their future endeavours.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan congratulated graduating students for their achievements, and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the University and to strive to exhibit the core values of the University wherever they find themselves.

The Vice-chancellor intimated that enrollment over the past five years had sharply increased and attributed it to the Free Senior High School Programme, adding that the University needed to improve on its infrastructure such as science laboratories, lecture halls, students’ accommodation, robust internet service amongst others to cater for the increased enrollment figures.

Prof. Seidu Al-hassan appealed to the government, civil society organisations, and philanthropists to support the University to improve on academic facilities on its various campuses.

The Vice-Chancellor announced that the University had recently established new schools and faculties, which aim at training more human resource to aid in speeding up the development of the country. The new schools, he said, include the School of Business, the School of Economics, the School of Dentistry, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the commitment of the University to remove barriers that restrict access and success at the tertiary level, through excellence in teaching, research and scholarship. He expressed appreciation to faculty members, tutors and administrators who worked hard to provide the necessary support for graduands to successfully complete their studies.

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, represented the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, at the ceremony. He said the government was committed to expanding the use of modern technology in institutions, by establishing e-platforms for distance and virtual learning to ensure quality education in the country. He gave assurance of the government’s commitment to addressing the infrastructural challenges facing the University.

He advised the graduands to accept National Service Scheme postings to all parts of the country where their services are most needed, and charged them to be law abiding citizens, contribute their quota to the building of the nation, hold onto their integrity no matter the cost and to give back to society whenever they have the opportunity.

The valedictorian, Mr. Abdul Rahman Lansah who graduated with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.89, recalled the long and hard journey which had brought them to their graduation day. On behalf of the graduating class, he thanked faculty, administrators and staff of UDS, as well as the families and benefactors of graduating students, for their support.

He Encouraged his fellow graduands to be agents of change, and to remain relevant to society, adding that their relevance will be measured according to the problems they solve and the legacy they leave behind.

Awards were given to deserving students from the various schools and faculties. The Best Graduating Female Student was Rahma Issah who graduated with a BSc. Agribusiness with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.81.

Story by:
Abdul-Hayi Moomen (University relations)