GCUC makes strides within challenges
The Garden City University College (GCUC) in the Ashanti Region is gradually carving a niche for itself in the training of healthcare professionals in the region and the country at large.
Its undergraduate programmes in midwifery and nursing courses have for the past five years been oversubscribed compelling the management of the college to cut down on the number of admissions in order to meet the required teacher-students ratio.
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Matriculation
Speaking at the 16th matriculation ceremony of the college, the President of the GCUC, Prof. Edward K. Asante, commended the heads of the two departments, Ms Ramatu Agambire and Hajia Halima Opoku Ahmed for making the courses to be very attractive to prospective students.
A section of the students taking the matriculation oath
“In fact, at a point in the admission process, we had to stop admitting nursing students so that we will not go way beyond the recommended student-staff ratio.”
According to him, in 2018 when he took over as the president of the university, the two departments had a total of 35 students each pursuing the regular programmes.
“Today, it may interest you to know that we are matriculating 220 and 114 regular students for the nursing and midwifery departments respectively. As I have always emphasised, student satisfaction is critical in growing the student numbers in the departments,” he said.
Admission
In spite of challenges that all educational institutions, particularly at the tertiary level went through, he said the GCUC was still making strides.
This year, he said the college admitted 1,996 students.
“This is in sharp contrast to a total of 579 students we matriculated when I assumed office in 2018.
“I wish to congratulate all of us, including our alumni and continuing students who referred many of the freshers to the GCUC for this monumental achievement,” he said and paid glorious tributes to “the Director of CODel, Mr Albert Achegilugu and the Administrator/Director, Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA), Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah and his hard-working team for their efforts, despite the frustrating challenges they face daily in the discharge of their duties.”
Advice
Prof. Asante asked the students to know that the lecturers and supporting staff were there to guide them.
“We have put in place measures, programmes and strategies to ensure that every student gets the best academic experience, social experience and personal experience at the GCUC.
“I implore you to make maximum use of the resources and facilities placed at your disposal. You have some of the best lecturers in the country teaching you. Their efforts will be in vain unless you compliment them through hard work and dedication to the purpose of being here,” he pleaded.