UCC VC calls for gov`t support for science project

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for continuous government support towards a science programme the university has been holding since 1990, to make the science and agriculture programmes accessible to people.

She noted that the programme, which responds to the national quest to increase the intake of science students, consists of specialised programmes mounted for science students who had difficulties in accessing human and material resources in their previous learning processes.

According to her, the result was positive, and that more support from government would enhance the programme, which is run by the university.

Matriculating 4,251 fresh students for the 2009/2010 academic year at Cape Coast on Saturday, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the university was making university education accessible to many Ghanaians, owing to its innovative ways such as the Matured Students' Entrance Examinations which started four decades ago, and the policy of admitting students from less-endowed schools, as well as the Distance Education Programme.

She said the UCC had now targeted teachers in the field, who must upgrade themselves to help address the falling standards of education.

The VC said 11,730 qualified applications were received, but only 4,251 gained admission to the university, adding that post-graduate students constituted 378.

She advised the students to count themselves lucky, and focus on their studies to make them contribute meaningfully to the nation's development.

She advised them to eschew cyber fraud and excessive noise making on campus, and promised that the UCC administration would not shield any offending student.