The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has conferred various degrees and diplomas on 1,863 students at the first session of the University’s 17th Congregation held on Friday, September 26.
The colourful ceremony, attended by faculty, staff, family, and friends, saw 1,640 students graduate from the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies (FITCS) and 223 from the UPSA Law School.
From FITCS, 31 students earned first class honours, 295 obtained second class upper division, 405 graduated with second class lower division, 351 with third class, and 107 with Pass.
At the diploma level, 25 graduated with distinction, 280 with credit, and 146 with pass.
The UPSA Law School graduated 223 students, including two with first-class honours, 84 with second-class upper division, 68 with second-class lower division, 36 with third-class, and 33 with passes.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, congratulated the graduates on reaching this important milestone and urged them to keep striving for excellence.
He reminded them that graduation is not merely a celebration of academic achievement but a call to responsibility, stressing that earning a degree carries an obligation to live out the values instilled by the university.
“As you step out of UPSA today, remember that you carry not just a degree but a responsibility – a responsibility to lead with integrity in a world that often rewards shortcuts, a responsibility to innovate because Africa’s challenges require fresh solutions, and a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and governance because leadership without accountability is not sustainable,” he said.
“I am incredibly proud of all of you, and you should take pride in your accomplishments as well. Keep working hard and diligently. Take every position with grace, humility, and commitment to excellence.”
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Dr. Mark-Oliver Kevor, who was the congregation speaker, expressed optimism about the graduates’ future, commending them for their resilience and creativity.
He highlighted the achievement of Masir, a graduate who developed an attendance-tracking application and an AI-powered chatbot for UPSA.
“Don’t underestimate your potential as you step into the next chapter. I am very happy that already some of you have started developing workable applications even while you are still in school,” Dr. Kevor said.
He further encouraged graduates to approach life with diligence and purpose while advising them to guard their online reputations carefully.
“One careless comment on social media can cost you a lifetime opportunity,” he cautioned. “Please protect your integrity like how you protect your phone battery on one per cent.”
