It was all joy for some 8,247 fresh students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra as they were formally welcomed to the University community on Friday, February 12.
The freshmen, who are pursuing various undergraduate and diploma programmes for the 2020/2021 academic year, were officially initiated into UPSA at a brief but colourful Matriculation ceremony.
Due to the observance of COVID-19 safety protocols, the Second Session of the 2021 Matriculation Ceremony was attended by a select group of fresh students, while the rest of the students joined virtually.
Chairman of the University Council, Dr. Kofi Ohene-Konadu opened the ceremony with a welcome address urging the matriculants to not lose sight of the primary purpose for which they joined the university.
He said: “Your participation in this important event should ignite your preparedness to engage in the academic rigour that UPSA offers.”
He urged the students to pursue excellence in their academic work. Dr. Ohene-Konadu explained that in pursuing excellence, one must strike the right balance between academic work and other social and extra-curricular activities in order to be successful.
Admissions
The University matriculated a total of 8,247 freshmen out of 13,394 applications received for the 2020/2021 academic year. The enrolled students comprise 5,671 undergraduates, 1,623 diplomates and 70 professional programme students.
They also include 883 postgraduate students who matriculated at the first session and some six international students.
The 8,247 registered fresh students are made up of 4,478 males and 3,769 females, bringing the male to female ratio of freshmen for the 2020/2021 academic year to 54:46.
Commenting on the high enrolment, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abednego F. O. Amartey announced that this year’s figures point to a 38.44 percent increase over the previous year’s intake.
He revealed that it is also the highest admission in the history of the University. This, he said, is a fair reflection of the confidence students have in the institution.
On that note, he said Management through its exceptional faculty members was committed to delivering top-notch pedagogy by providing students with a life-long learning experience throughout their four-year journey with the institution.
Discipline
Prof. Amarety called on the matriculants to be disciplined and act as good ambassadors of the University. He cautioned against indecent dressing to lectures and reminded students of their pledge to adhere to a professional appearance at all times.
Stressing on the need to be disciplined, Prof. Amartey urged the matriculants to take their academic work seriously.
“The distance between today’s ceremony and your graduation ceremony is quite wide,” he said.
“It is [therefore] important that the journey you are beginning ends successfully. For this to happen, you need to regularly attend lectures, complete all your assignments, and shun deviant behaviour and other vices that can interfere with your bright future.”
Infrastructural development
On accommodation, Prof. Amartey noted that all ongoing infrastructural development projects are progressing according to schedule despite the many challenges brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic.
He said two new hostel edifices will soon be completed to collectively house over 3,200 students and ease the accommodation problems students face.
He further hinted that the University has also purchased a property close to the Main Auditorium which will be converted into another residential facility for students.
Symbolic Signing of the Matricula
Miss Lilian Agyeiwaa Domotey Asare, a first-year Bachelor of Laws student, signed the symbolic matricula on behalf of the Class of 2025 after they had recited the Matriculation Oath pledging to live by the values of the University community.
