Catholic Varsity College is 10
Starting from a humble beginning with 50 students in 2003, the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, can now boast over 4,500, who are starting the 2013/2014 academic year while its labour force is currently over 190.
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The university college is affiliated to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for its Bachelor and post-graduate degrees, as well as Diploma in Education programmes, while the UCC will also award degrees to graduates from the CUC, who pursue BSc Actuarial Science, BSc Mathematics with Finance and BSc Mathematics with Economics.
The university will climax its 10th anniversary with a grand durbar tomorrow, Saturday, November 9.
First matriculation and commissioning
On May 3, 2003, the pioneer students were matriculated while the second batch of 32 students were admitted on November 3, 2003.
Former President officially inaugurated the university college on November 13, 2003.
On April 25, 2007, His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Dias, from the Vatican, who represented Pope John Paul II, performed the historic laying of the foundation stone ceremony at the university’s new site at Fiapre, in the Sunyani West District.
The dream of moving to the permanent site became a reality shortly after the foundation stone had been laid with the founding fathers making huge investments to realise their cherished dream.
At the beginning of 2008/2009 academic year, massive activities at the university started at the permanent campus under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Hawkins Ephraim. Though challenging and under very trying moments, the enthusiasm and co-operation of both staff and students was very commendable.
Serious attention is being focused on the infrastructural development of the institution and current facilities at the site include a two-storey resource centre, consisting of two large lecture theatres, three computer laboratories, a library complex and some offices for Deans and lecturers as well as a two-storey lecture blocks “A” and “B”. The top floor of the block ‘A’ at present serves as the administration. Two clusters of three-storey hostels designed to accommodate over 1,000 students were inaugurated recently.
Challenges
The CUCG faces a number of challenges, including inadequate logistics. The university needs more computers and accessories, more books at the library, projectors and acoustic accessories to ensure effective communication during lectures.
The university authorities have appealed for support to invest in the areas of construction of private hostels for students, and access road to campus, investment in banking, postal and communication services as well as the provision of services such as supermarkets, pharmacies and saloons.
The celebration of 10 years of existence of CUCG will not be complete without recognising Professor Michael Schultheis, who became the President of CUCG from 2003 to 2007, and Rev. Msgr. Albert Kuuire, the first Registrar.
The varied contributions of members who constituted the old Board of Trustees ought not to be forgotten. They were Archbishop (Emeritus) Akwasi Sarpong, Bishop Joseph Kweku Essien, Bishop Francis Lodonu and Bishop Paul Bemile. The rest are: Prof. Ebow Mensah, Prof. Alexander A. Kwapong, Prof. Kofi Kumado, Mr. Paul Kumahor, Rev. Fr. Gervase Angsotinege, Rev. Sr. Regina Kampo and Mrs Cecilia Koufie, as well as Mr Ernest Kweku Appiah Odoom, the Secretary.
Daily Graphic/Ghana