Central University Seting The Pace For Private Tertiary Education

Central University (CU) has led the way in private higher education delivery in Ghana, says the Vice-Chancellor of the CU, Professor Bill Puplampu.

"Central University since inception in 1998 led the way in affordable and accessible higher education delivery and pioneered science education in the private sector," he said.

He said this on Saturday during a colourful Congregation of the Central University at the main campus, Miotso, in the Greater Accra Region.

The congregation, which was the 16th of the University, brought together thousands of family members, friends and associates who were not only dressed gorgeously for the occasion, but were eager to share in the magic moments of their loved ones as their degrees were conferred on them.

Professor Puplampu said it was the aim of the University to continue leading the way in the private university education in Ghana and West Africa, adding that "we want to improve our services and offering to our students and community and are committed to raising leaders who transform.'

Mrs. Akua Owusu-Nartey, in a keynote address, advised the students to be problem solvers and willing to make well-thought-through decisions, and always having an opinion about a matter.

'My Team knows that every time they come to me with a problem, they need to have solutions. Being a problem solver means you are useful,' she said.

Mrs. Owusu-Nartey, who was also an alumnus of the University, observed that in order for people to overcome the many challenges that confronted them daily at their work places, homes, etc. they needed to make informed decisions, adding that 'if the thinking is right, eight out of ten times things work out…'

She observed that, in thinking on one's feet, one was bound to make mistakes, but 'it's the recovery time from the mistake that counts.'

According to her, in doing so, one needed to appreciate the value of experience of those who had authority over them as a means of correcting one's naivety on the job, observing that 'wisdom is not repeating the mistakes others have made.'

She said, 'In my first review at work, my boss tore half my brilliant ideas to shreds…believe it or not, every red flag she raised would have happened. In that moment I knew the value of experience. What she had done was to teach me not to make the mistakes she had made herself.'

She, however, observed the need to challenge the status quo sometimes, saying that things did not have to be done the same way always, 'So as a manager, I want people smart enough to think differently but also appreciate the dinosaurs in the business,' she informed.

Ms. Priscilla Agyeman-Duah, one of the two outstanding students, in reading the valedictory, observed how well the good use of time had contributed to their success story.

In that light, she told of how those who used time unwisely always believed time had run out too fast when the end finally came.

She advised colleagues to go into the world and give back to society the many blessings and knowledge they had acquired whilst studying in the university.

In trying to portray what the university had created in them and what would be beneficial to the world, she quoted the chancellor of the University, Dr. Mensa Otabil, who said, 'Generational leaders respond to a calling and have a deep sense of purpose. They start new paths, break old patterns, set new standards and become a pattern of successors.'

The University graduated 2,063 students at its 16th congregation which included the first batch of 117 law students.

Out of this number 68 students had first class, 547 had second upper, 552 had second lower, 419 students had 3rd class with 273 students going home with a pass. 207 students graduated with Master's degrees.

The over 2000 graduants were the second batch of students who had graduated after the University was granted a presidential charter, and the first batch to have done their full year cycle as students of an independent university.

Ms. Augestina Essiam and Ms. Priscilla Agyeman-Duah were adjudged the most outstanding students for 2017. GNA

By Alexander Nyarko Yeboah, GNA