16th Congregation Ceremony Information

The 16th Congregation Ceremony of the University of Professional Studies, Accra will be held in sessions as follows:

1.0 ELIGIBILITY FOR GRADUATION

Every graduand must ensure that all obligations to the University have been fulfilled to pave the way for his/her graduation. Graduands who fail to do so by Monday, 21st October, 2024 will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

1.1 Regulations and Requirements
The student must have been duly admitted to the University, followed the approved programme of study over the accepted period and satisfied the following conditions:

• Proof of regular enrolment in the degree/diploma programme.

• Passed in all required courses.

• Satisfactory discharge of such requirements as may be prescribed by the faculty and department for awarding a degree/diploma.

• Fulfilled all the minimum total credit passed requirements as stipulated on pages 249-251 of the Undergraduate Students’ Handbook, 2018.

1.2 Confirmation of Degree or Diploma
A list of candidates who are deemed eligible shall be laid before the Academic Board for confirmation. No award shall be conferred unless the Academic Board is satisfied that the candidate has met all the conditions for the award of a degree/diploma.

1.3 Presentation of Award
Following confirmation of an award of a degree/diploma, the candidate shall be entitled to be awarded the appropriate degree/diploma under the seal of the University at a Congregation of the University assembled for that purpose. The degree/diploma shall indicate the programme offered as well as the class obtained.

1.4 Financial Obligations to the University
Students with outstanding fee payments should contact the Students Accounts Office, Finance Directorate located on the 1st Floor of Access Bank (UPSA Branch) building. Every graduating student is duty-bound to ensure that all financial obligations to the University are met.

1.5 Disciplinary/ Examination Malpractice Issues
Students with unresolved disciplinary/examination malpractice issues should contact their respective Deans of Faculty/School or the Dean of Students Affairs for clarification.

1.6 Graduation Fee
All Graduands must pay a non-refundable fee of GH¢500.00 to cover the cost of the congregation brochure, alumni registration fee, printing of certificates, hiring of academic gown, UPSA souvenirs and administrative charges. The graduation fee should be paid at any branch of Access Bank Limited after which the graduand must log on to UFIS disburse the payment as “graduation fee”.

1.7 On-Line Registration
Log in to your USIS student’s portal and click the “Register for Graduation” tab to register for the graduation ceremony after paying the graduation fee. The period for registration for the ceremony is Monday, 21st October, 2024 – Friday, 25th October, 2024.

2.0 GET READY FOR GRADUATION

If you have fulfilled all the conditions as stated in Section 1.0 above (i.e Eligibility for Graduation) you need to proceed as follows:
After having effected the payment and on-line registration, graduands should use the proof of registration and the ufis disbursement print-out to collect their gowns and UPSA souvenirs from Room 403, Third Floor, Students’ Resources Centre starting from Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024.

The gown set is made up of a gown, hood and cap. These must be carefully examined before being taken away. On return, any item in a damaged condition will either not be accepted or a penalty fee will be charged. It is recommended that gowns should be collected by the graduand himself/herself. Deadline for the collection of the gown is Friday, 25th October, 2024 at 5.00 pm.

Note carefully:
• Graduands should not wash gowns/hoods as they have been cleaned prior to distribution.
• Graduands are requested to return the academic gowns latest by 5.00pm of the following day after their graduation. Failure to do so will attract a penalty of GH¢50.00 per day.

3.0 CONGREGATION DAY

3.1 Arrival and Venue
Graduands are to be seated at 8.00 am on each day of the graduation ceremonies.
Venue: Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium,UPSA

Attendance of the graduation ceremony is limited to graduating students (graduands) and two guests per graduating student. Other well-wishers of graduating students may follow proceedings online as arrangement will be made to have all the events streamed live on all the social media handles of the University.

3.2 Seating Arrangements for Graduands
Graduands will be seated according to programme of study and class obtained. Ushers will help graduands to locate their seats. Graduands are requested to promptly take their seats on arrival and stay seated throughout the ceremony.

3.3 Presentation of Awards
Only graduands who attained first-class degrees will be called to be acknowledged by officials on the dais. All male Graduands will, as a sign of courtesy, take off their caps before approaching the dais. Female Graduands may keep caps on. Once in front of the dais, graduands will bow to the officials on the dais before moving back to their seating places.

The Deans of the respective faculties, who will be presenting the students, will rise up and move to the front of the stage. Graduands are required to follow the instructions the Deans will be giving out during the conferment of the awards.

3.4 Courtesy
All Graduands and Guests must give the necessary decorum the ceremony deserves. For example, Graduands are expected to stand up when the Chancellor and Members of Convocation’s processions are about to enter the Auditorium as well as when recessing. Graduands are also not expected to be wandering about during the proceedings.

4.0 AFTER GRADUATION

Note the following after the graduation ceremony:

Ensure that you return your gown before 5.00pm of the following day after your graduation to avoid payment of penalty for late submission.

Once you are certain you have fulfilled all your obligations to the University you can now proceed to Room 8, Academic Affairs Directorate, Ground Floor, Seidu Mustapha Wing to collect your certificate. Please make sure your entry qualification has been verified. If that has not been done, the original certificate(s) of your entry qualification will be inspected before your UPSA certificate will be released to you. Please note that the academic certificate is issued only once and it is not replaceable. You are advised to make copies and keep the original in a safe place.

Registration as an Alumni – there are many benefits in joining the UPSA Alumni Association. Visit the Alumni Office located on the Ground Floor, Old Administration Block, Hostel A, UPSA. As a graduate of the University, you are part of our alumni family and we will like to keep in touch with you.

Congratulations to all the Graduating Students!