The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has graduated 1,275 students at the first session of its 18th Congregation, marking the completion of postgraduate and professional law programmes.
Out of the number, 189 graduated from the UPSA Law School, while 1,086 graduated from the School of Graduate Studies.
The graduates comprised 73 Master of Philosophy (MPhil), 554 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 222 Master of Science (MSc), 198 Master of Arts and 41 Master of Laws (LLM) students, reflecting the range of postgraduate programmes offered by the university.
The ceremony also marked significant milestones, with UPSA graduating the first cohorts of its Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Information Systems and MPhil in Management Studies programmes.
The UPSA Law School also graduated its first cohorts from three specialised LLM programmes in Competition and Consumer Protection Law, International Business and Commercial Law, and Natural Resources and Climate Change Law.
Infrastructure development
Speaking at the ceremony the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, highlighted infrastructure development, research, student development and industry collaboration as key areas of the university’s progress.
He said the school had expanded its land acquisition at Ogbojo from 10 to 18 plots and commenced construction of its first smart classroom, which would form part of an ICT campus.
He also said the university continued to pursue research, consultancy and knowledge-transfer partnerships with public institutions, industry and other educational organisations.
Results integrity
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that some students and individuals had breached the university’s system and altered results.
He however, added that the ICT team identified the affected results and rectified them to their initial scores.
He urged graduates to maintain integrity, continue learning and adapt to changes in technology and artificial intelligence.
Career lessons
The guest speaker and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), Dr Philip Oti-Mensah, urged graduates to understand the difference between the learning and earning stages of their careers.
Sharing his experience of receiving several job rejections before rising to become a branch manager, deputy chief executive officer and chief executive officer, and later founding Omni Bank, he encouraged the graduates to learn from both success and failure.
He urged them to identify opportunities in societal problems, create value, build dependable reputations and remain committed to their work.
He also encouraged them to maintain relationships formed at the university, support one another and help others when they gained opportunities and influence.
He also said UMB had offered to engage selected first-class graduates whose interdisciplinary research produced products and innovations for possible pitching and adoption.
Appreciation
The valedictorian, Klenam Tsikata, expressed gratitude to God, families, friends, lecturers and programme advisors for supporting the graduates.
She acknowledged the UPSA Young Faculty Scholarship Programme, through which more than 40 young scholars, including herself, were pursuing higher education.
She also celebrated working students and female graduates, encouraging the Class of 2026 to pursue their ambitions while balancing family and professional responsibilities.
She urged the graduates to dream beyond their circumstances, remain hopeful during difficult periods and continue striving towards their goals.
