It was an emotional moment and a dream come true as 1,673 students graduated from the Faculty of Management Studies with various degrees and diplomas at the Third Session of the University of Professional Studies, Accra’s (UPSA) 17th Congregation, held on Wednesday, October 1.
Addressing the graduates, Vice-Chancellor Prof John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor congratulated them on their academic achievements, describing the day as a true “celebration of determination and resilience.”
“Indeed, the sacrifices, perseverance, and commitment have brought you to this great and proud milestone,” he remarked.
Prof Mawutor advised the graduates not to allow their academic classifications to define their future but to focus instead on personal growth, skills acquisition, and innovation.
“Your future may not unfold exactly as planned. You may all not begin in your dreams, but whatever opportunity comes your way, please seize it with grace, humility, and excellence,” Prof Mawutor urged. “Let your story not be defined by your classification but by your commitment to growth.”
The Vice-Chancellor further encouraged them to develop relevant skills, build strong professional networks, and embrace innovation, stressing that the world will always make room for talent.
I urge you to add to your skills, build networks, and embrace innovation.
The former Managing Director of GBfoods, Mr David Afflu, who was the congregation speaker, also shared insights from his personal and professional journey, urging graduates to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
Mr Afflu outlined seven key lessons for success, highlighting the importance of discipline and professional excellence.
“To thrive in Ghana, you must be prepared to unlearn old assumptions, learn new skills, and relearn lessons you may already know. This is how you will stay relevant in a fast-changing world,” Mr Afflu advised.
He urged the graduates to understand the unwritten rules of work by becoming problem solvers rather than complainers and to guard their reputation, which he described as a valuable currency that can open doors even before one arrives.
He further encouraged them to adopt a solution-oriented mindset, push themselves to become the best version of themselves, and master the art of communication.
Additionally, Mr Afflu stressed the importance of teamwork, noting that no one succeeds alone in the corporate world, and called on the graduates to build resilience and passion.
“Resilience means learning from mistakes but never repeating them. Passion means bringing energy into everything you do. If you don’t love what you are doing, chances are that you won’t give it your best. [But] when you bring passion and creativity, solutions are very likely to follow.”
In all, 1,358 undergraduates and 315 diploma students were awarded during the ceremony.
At the undergraduate level, 37 students obtained First Class Honours, 374 secured Second Class Upper, 464 attained Second Class Lower, 363 earned Third Class, and 120 received a Pass.
Among the diploma students, 21 graduated with distinction; 175 obtained credit; and 119 were awarded a pass.
