Matriculation Ceremonies held for Distance Education Students

Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost, College of Humanities, at the ceremony at the Accra Learning Centre

Matriculation ceremonies have been held for freshmen admitted to the University of Ghana through the Distance Education programme for the 2018/2019 academic year. Three regions hosted the ceremonies concurrently; Accra, for freshmen from the Tsito, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Tema and Accra Learning Centres; Kumasi for freshmen from the Sunyani and Kumasi Learning Centres and Tamale for students from the Wa, Tamale and Bolgatanga Learning Centres.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, was represented at the ceremonies by Professor Jonathan Fletcher; Acting Dean of the School of Education and Leadership in Tamale, Professor Michael Tagoe; Acting Provost of the College of Education in Kumasi, and Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost, College of Humanities, in Accra.

Professor Jonathan Fletcher Acting Dean of the School of Education and Leadership at the ceremony at the Tamale Learning Centre

The Vice-Chancellor, in his address, stressed the significance of matriculation ceremonies since they afford matriculants the opportunity to pledge allegiance to the authority of the University through the administration of the Matriculation Oath. He emphasized that students, who are Junior Members of the University, are expected to be of good behaviour and to accept the authority of all those in whom authority has been vested in the University. The Vice-Chancellor urged students to contribute their quota towards enhancing the University’s image, wherever they find themselves.

Professor Michael Tagoe, Ag. Provost of the College of Education, at the ceremony at the Kumasi Learning Centre

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the Distance Education mode of teaching and learning offers a life-line to students who want to improve on themselves academically, but are unable to leave their families or work to attend full time classes. The mature students’ mode of admission to the Distance Education programme offers students without the regular academic criteria, the chance to enter into the University, after undertaking an access course in English, Mathematics and Logic, and passing the examinations that follow. He indicated that for the 2018/2019 academic year, a total of 3,388 students accepted offers and enrolled on the Distance Education programme. This number is made up of 917 students at the diploma level and 2,471 at the degree level marking an increase of 59 percent over enrolment figures in the 2017/2018 academic year; representing 30.2 percent of total enrolment of freshmen.

A section of matriculating students in Accra

The Vice-Chancellor urged the students to channel their energies towards their studies and also to appropriately apportion their time, since many Distance Education students have to balance their studies with work, family and social responsibilities. He also urged students to desist from engaging in anti-social activities, and encouraged them to read the students’ hand book and notices, which are available both online and on notice boards at the various Learning Centres. 

The Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel Ashia, speaking at the Accra ceremony, explained the significance of the matriculation ceremony, and later administered the matriculation oath. She was represented by Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, College Secretary, College of Education, at the Tamale ceremony, and by Mrs. Cynthia Adu, Academic Affairs Officer of the College, at the ceremony in Kumasi.

The Registrar (top) and her representatives administering the oath at the Matriculation ceremonies

Scenes from the Matriculation ceremonies