The ceremony, which is to also provide an opportunity for fresh students to pledge their absolute allegiance to the university authorities, saw matriculants who are specifically made up of 5,230 undergraduate students and 555 postgraduate students.
This number of students will pursue programmes from the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, College of Education Studies, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences and the School of Graduate Studies.
The breakdown of the number by gender is 3,086 males which represents 59% and 2,144 females representing 41%, for undergraduate students.
For postgraduate studies, the number is 361 males constituting 65% and 194 females, which also constitutes 35%.
In the Vice-Chancellor’s address, Professor Joseph Ghartey Ampiah welcomed and congratulated the matriculants for securing a place in the prestigious institution and gave an assurance that the University of Cape Coast will provide them with an environment that exposes them to a wide range of learning experiences.
“Our lecturers and researchers are here not only to help you obtain that prestigious and enviable University of Cape Coast degree but also to help expand your understanding of society and the world at large. You should feel very proud that you are part of such an academic environment, he said.
He stated that by taking the matriculation oath, the fresh students have acquired studentship status of the university and are therefore entitled to all the rights and privileges which students of the university are enjoying.
Professor Ampiah also mentioned that these students have pledged by the oath to abide by the rules and regulations as well as appreciate and cherish the university’s objectives and goals.
According to him, the rules and regulations of the university are not meant to punish students but rather to bring order and harmony in the university and make their lives and stay here enjoyable. He added that adhering to the rules and regulations would enable students, staff and residents of the university function effectively.
“Our rules and regulations have been collated in the Students’ Hand Book, Academic programmes, Policies and Regulations and the Brochure on Graduates Studies. I urge you all to find these books and read them carefully, digest the content and abide by them.”
He also advised them to find out the things that are accepted and those not accepted by the institution.
“There are many things we have banned in this university because of the behaviour of some students and therefore we should find out what we should do and what we should not do because when you are caught in the web, we will not set you free. We will ask you to go and sit home for some time and reflect, before you come back”, he explained.
He also reiterated the institution’s commitment to helping students achieve their dreams and therefore encouraged matriculants to do their best by studying hard, and paying attention to information.
“The University of Cape Coast places high premium on your education and requires hard work, commitment and sacrifices. To this end, the university exposes you to a pool of professors, senior lecturers and lecturers. We expect that you attend lectures regularly to tap from their knowledge. Take your quizzes seriously, complete your take-home assignments and participate actively in classroom activities.”
He challenged them all to have a positive attitude in life and always believe in themselves.
The Vice-Chancellor, who noted that the race for admission into the university remains highly competitive, expressed hope that the institution will also work hard to get more females into the university to have a 50/50 ratio.
The ceremony was graced by the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Teye Onyame; the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan; the Dean of Students, Koawo Edjah; Provosts for the various colleges and Deans of various of Faculties.
Source: Nana Afia Tenkoramaa | Choicism.com
