The University of Professional studies, Accra on Tuesday, November 1, graduated its first batch of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marketing students from the Faculty of Management Studies.
The nine PhD students were among some 128 postgraduate students who graduated at the Fifth and final Session of the 14th Congregation of the University.
The graduating students also include 101 Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Intelligence students, as well as 18 students in Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Organizational Development.
This brings the total number of graduating students for the 2021/2022 academic year to 4,360, representing nine (9) PhD holders, 951 Masters, 18 Postgraduate Diploma, 2,394 Bachelors and 988 Diplomates.
Addressing the graduands, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof Abednego F. O. Amartey, congratulated them for satisfying all academic requirements of the University, and for braving the storms to overcome all challenges that they may have encountered throughout their academic journey with UPSA.
He noted that the world has changed, and in the process, challenged leaders to be creative and innovative. He pointed out that the UPSA graduate programmess are aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry needs.
“As a University, we are committed to making a difference and impacting society,” he said.
“We do this by producing quality graduates who contribute to changing the world for the better thanks to UPSA’s quality teaching and learning environment, research, and service.”
He added: “this is evident in the programmes we offer, and nowhere is this so strongly demonstrated than with our PhD Marketing, Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Organisational Development.”
Prof Amartey urged the graduands to apply all the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies at UPSA to confront the challenges they may encounter in the future.
For his part, the National Security Minister and Special Guest of Honour, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, observed that the fast-evolving nature of security threats that confront Ghana and the international community call for innovative programmes such as the Peace, Security and Intelligence Management programme to equip security operatives as they discharge their duties and critically formulate strategies to ensure the peace and stability of the country.
“The importance of peace and security is the reason why the Ministry of National Security partnered with the University of Professional Studies, Accra, to run a Master of Arts programme in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management in 2019,” he said.
“It is envisaged that building the capacity of personnel under the Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management programme is one of the approaches for sharpening the skills and perspectives of the personnel of the Security and Intelligence Agencies.”
Mr. Kan Dapaah urged graduands to be humble, open to criticism, and to seek continual learning as they chart their paths to success and climb higher on their professional ladder.
He also charged them to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability while encouraging them to take intelligent risks by surrounding themselves with the right people at all times.
