Rtd Alan Milburn, the Chancellor, Lancaster University, UK has said that the University was committed in churning out graduates needed for Ghana to drive its developmental agenda.
He said the University with its campus in Ghana, provides equal opportunities to students regardless of their nationality and where they come from.
Mr Alan, who was speaking at the Inaugural Graduation Ceremony of the Lancaster University, Ghana, in Accra said “Graduation ceremonies mark the transition from graduand to graduate – the steps taken across this stage are symbolic of a giant leap forward.”
In all 80 students were awarded Bachelors Degrees in Economics and International Relations, Politics and International Relations, Accounting and Finance, Computer Studies, Business Studies, Marketing and Law.
These students come from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and the United Kingdom.
The graduating students have either completed a one year Foundation Programme, followed by three years of Undergraduate study, making a total of four years of study, or direct entry into the three year Undergraduate programme.
He said the University was opened to all with talent and potentials and called on the students to be bold, brave and believe in themselves, since they have a bright future ahead of them.
He said Lancaster University holds a top ten position in all major UK league tables and a global league table position inside the top 150 of all Universities world-wide, and Lancaster University Ghana was the only fully fledged branch campus in West Africa, which was committed to producing graduates, who have the skills and knowledge to meet industrial, societal and governmental needs in Ghana and beyond.
The Chancellor said their certificates evidences academic success and subject knowledge, but “we all recognise that coming to University builds a range of vital qualities for your lives and future careers.”
Mr Lain Walker, the British High Commissioner to Ghana expressed the hope that the new grandaunts would build networks to enhance the future aspirations and prospects in live.
Mr Raskesh Wahi, Chairman Transnational Academic Group’s (TAG) said one of the main challenges faced by Africa was capacity building and this has affected the entire education value chain.
He said in tertiary education, even 500 additional private universities; would not be enough to satisfy the demand.
“It is therefore, TAG’s mission to establish educational institutions of the highest quality through academic collaboration with highly ranked and reputable international universities.
He said the TAG’s partnership with Lancaster University was the first step in fulfilling their mission to establishing several campuses and Centres of excellence across the African continent.
“Life is Gods greatest gift to us but is not going to be a bed of roses; each day will come with new opportunities and challenges. Face the challenges with courage and overcome them. Take opportunities fairly, and carry with you the people that you lead,” he said.
Three outstanding graduates were presented with awards namely, Joffrey Doma (Politics and International Relations) and Daniel Boateng (Accounting and Finance), were given the Chancellor’s Medal; an award given to the most meritorious students of the graduating class.
John Ennin (Economics and International Relations) was given the Founders’ Award, for being the student, who best embodies the Transnational Academic Group values.
Distinguished Alumnus Recognition was given to Oheneba Lovelace Prempeh, son of Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, Asantehene (1931 – 1970), for being one of the first five Africans to gain admission to Lancaster University in the UK and graduated in 1968 with a BA honours in Economics.