The Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey has entreated students of his alma mater, Prempeh College to embrace higher education as they aspire to advance their lives and reach their career goals.
He said education does not only improve the quality of lives and lead to broad social benefits to individuals and societies but also trains people to think analytically and create solutions to problems.
Prof Amartey made this call at a Motivational and Career Counselling lecture held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Prempeh College in Kumasi, Ashanti region on Saturday, June 1, 2019.
Speaking on the theme “Preparing yourself for higher education,” the Vice-Chancellor, who was obviously elated to return to his former school after almost three decades, outlined the importance of higher education which centred on career preparation, civic involvement, personal development and realization of one’s passion.
He stressed that education is the bedrock to the socio-economic development of every society, hence very essential to achieving stainable development. He noted that individuals with higher education qualifications are more employable on the job market and stand a better chance of living a fulfilled life. It is against this backdrop that he advised the students to take full advantage of the many opportunities that education provides.
“I am also here to encourage you to take your education seriously and to aspire to gain admission into higher institutions of learning; for, it is known that the growth and development of every nation or society hinge on the development of its human capital. Education, as we all know, is the key to success and Higher education I will say is the master key to success,” the renowned ‘amanfoɔ’ said.
Prof Amartey, however stressed at the heavily attended lecture that higher education was not limited to certificate, Diploma or Bachelor’s degree programmes at the tertiary level but also includes vocational and technical education.
Why Business and Professional education
According to the professor of marketing, Business Management and professional education is an ideal choice for anyone wanting to fast-track their career or learn more about the realities of starting or managing a business.
He added that irrespective of one’s chosen career, professional business management is vital for all professional careers.
“Today, degrees in Accounting, marketing and IT are not adequate to qualify you as a professional accountant, professional marketer or a professional IT neither does it guarantee one an immediate job but a combination of both academic and professional education will equip you with adequate skills required by the corporate world,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the students to choose a professional University which trains to equip their students with academic and professional education while shedding more light on the unique features of UPSA and its programmes.
Prof Amartey, in his concluding remarks, also expressed his profound gratitude to the management of the school and the organizers of the event for the opportunity given him to share his experience with the future leaders of the country.