A Ghanaian scientist specialising in medical physics and radiation protection, Professor Mary Adu-Poku, has advised graduates of the University of Ghana (UG) to build purpose alongside passion, saying passion alone cannot sustain professionals through difficult times in their careers.
"Passion will excite you.
Purpose will sustain you when circumstances become difficult," she said, adding that people needed both.
Prof. Adu-Poku, who is currently the officer-in-charge of the mentoring programme at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), was speaking at the morning session of the university's July Congregation, where a total of 1,884 students are graduating from various postgraduate and undergraduate programmes across last Friday and Saturday.
The graduating class is made up of 157 doctorate holders, 1,428 Master's degree holders and 297 undergraduates.
Path
Prof. Adu-Poku, who was appointed to champion gender equality and female inclusion at GAEC following her tenure as a director, told the graduates that her career path, from chemistry to physics, from researcher to institute director, and from scientist to advocate for inclusion, had been guided by a few key principles.
Anna Cobba-Biney receiving her Master of Arts in Management and Administration certificate
She listed the principles as taking the first step and remaining committed, valuing time, making use of available opportunities and resources, and being assertive by taking initiative without despising small beginnings.
"Leadership is not about titles; it's about service, impact and creating opportunities for others to succeed," she said.
She charged the graduates to be resilient in the face of adversity, to work with integrity, manage their finances wisely and to maintain a strong moral and spiritual foundation.
She added that years from now, people would remember character more than degrees.
"Let resilience be your companion, purpose be your compass and excellence be your brand," she said.
Strides
Addressing the graduates on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Innovation and Development, Professor Felix Amkomah Asante, said the university's council had, earlier in the year, approved a policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to guide faculty, staff and students on the responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching, learning, research and administration.
He said the policy was designed to provide guidance on equitable access, ethical and accountable use of AI, support for teaching and learning excellence and data security and privacy compliance.
Prof. Asante said a teaching and learning policy had also been approved to provide an enabling environment for innovative and quality teaching, and to strengthen support systems such as the library and ICT infrastructure for faculty and students.
On research, he said the university's Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) had marked 15 years of advancing research excellence, having grown from what started as the Office of Research, Innovation and Development, with strengthened research governance, interdisciplinary collaboration and grant management systems.
He said the university had maintained its position as the leading institution in Ghana and West Africa, ranking among the top 13 universities in Africa in the QS World University Rankings 2027, which assessed 1,504 institutions globally.
Advise
Prof. Asante described the graduation as a significant transition for the students, and charged them to uphold the principles of excellence, integrity, professionalism and service as ambassadors of the university in their careers and communities.
"We are so proud of you, and wish you the best as you enter in the next stage of your lives," he said.
