Prof. Alabi made the appeal at the university’s 2016/2017 academic year matriculation in Accra on Saturday during which 3,216 students were admitted into the university.

The figure represents 46.25 per cent of the 6,954 applications received by the University.

Prof. Alabi said the student population had increased over the past years, as a result of the growing demand for university education.

“This has led to the need to recruit more lecturers,” he stated.

He, therefore, lauded the government for granting the UPSA the clearance to recruit 118 additional lecturers to augment its academic staff strength.

He said two new programmes – Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Science Actuarial Science – had been added to the University’s programmes portfolio this academic year.

He stated that other programmes such as the doctorate courses in leadership and marketing were awaiting accreditation from the National Accreditation Board.

The vice-chancellor announced that the UPSA Council had given approval for the acquisition of 100 plots of land at Oyibi, near Accra, for the construction of staff bungalows.

“This initiative is within the context of management’s desire to motivate staff of the university, who have worked very hard over the past years to improve conditions at the university, and also to continue to give of their best,” he said.

He said work had also started on the construction of a students’ centre, which when completed, would house shops, food courts and meeting rooms.

Prof. Alabi commended the students and staff for their impressive support during his tenure as a vice-chancellor, and urged them to do same for his successor.

To the matriculants, the vice-chancellor admonished them to be focused on their education and work to achieve academinc excellence.

He advised them to develop their creative abilities, aim high and diligently pursue their aspirations.