University of Ghana matriculates fresh students

He indicated that providing accommodation for all fresh students had always been a challenge although the university in recent times had put up a number of new halls of residence to augment the traditional halls.

Matriculation

Prof. Owusu was speaking at the 2018/2019 matriculation ceremony for newly admitted students to the university last Saturday.

He said although 7,289 of the 11,216 registered freshmen were entitled to residence, only 2,488 of them had been offered accommodation.

 Of the figure, 1,227 are females.

“This clearly indicates an improvement in female-male ratio trend from 40:60 to 49:50.

 The university will continue to strive towards achieving the 50:50 ratio or better,” he added.

The vice-chancellor submitted that the university continued to invest in providing accommodation and improving the living conditions in the various halls of residence by rehabilitating them, improving the water supply situation, providing internet service and ensuring adequate security.

Admissions

The university received a total of 43,215 undergraduate applications for the 2018/2019 academic year but was able to admit 28,149, about 65 per cent of the total applications received.

Of the number admitted, 11,216 students have registered for programmes on all the university campuses.

On graduate admissions, the vice-chancellor said the university received 8,106 applications but was able to offer admissions to 2,462 applicants.

Prof. Owusu noted that the university continued to attach great importance to the presence of international students on the various campuses and as such the university received 2,537 international applications for the 2018/2019 academic year.

Of that number, the university was able to admit 734 applicants of which 306 students of various nationalities had successfully registered.

Adhere to rules

Prof. Owusu urged the students to be obedient to authorities in the school as well as adhere to its rules and regulations to avoid sanctions.

“As fresh students, you are expected to contribute your quota to enhance the university’s image wherever you find yourself and to ensure that you do not do anything that will bring the name of the university to into disrepute,” the vice-chancellor told the newly admitted students.

He stressed that “you must begin to own the institution and make sure that whatever you do or say remains a compliment to the development of the university.”

Oath administration

The Registrar of the university, Mrs Mercy Haizel-Ashia, administered the matriculation oath to the students.

She had earlier in her remarks taken the students through other matriculation ceremonies for students in the distance and sandwich programmes and other programmes during the academic year.

One of the fresh students, Mr David Henry Boakye-Yeboah, who spoke on behalf of the fresh students on their expectations, said they looked forward to meeting new people, forming new relationships and networking to last their life time.

He urged his colleagues to put up the best of behaviour and study hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.