The Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) has held its 18th Matriculation Ceremony for students admitted into various programmes for the 2020/2021 Academic Year.
The University admitted a total number of 742 students comprising 388 males representing 52.29 percent and 354 females representing 47.71 percent for its undergraduate programmes.
Following the strict observance of the COVID-19 protocols, the University held three sessions of the ceremony at the Akuapem Campus on 13th April, 2021, Okwahu Campus on 15th April, 2021 and the Asante Akyem Campus on 17th April, 2021.
Inculcation of Values
Delivering his address, the President of PUCG, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng said the happenings in the country of incidence of ritual killings, murders, road carnage, craze for quick wealth, and corruption in all places, call for a return to the values of integrity, honesty, hard work, self-discipline, love of neighbour and community.
The President reiterated that the inculcation of such values in students is a priority of this University.
“So you are entreated to participate in all campus events, including midweek and family services, musical programmes, chaplaincy week activities, community involvement programmes, seminars, public lectures and debates that occur on the various campuses, he implored the students.”
A section of the fresh students at the matriculation ceremony at the Akuapem Campus
Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng said these activities are structured to inculcate values of integrity, hard work, selflessness, love of humanity and generally self-discipline into the students to shape them into productive human beings.
According to him these values will save the country from Greed, Tribalism, Nepotism, ethnocracy, and in the long run will reduce the poverty of our people saying, “inculcation of values in students is what Presbyterian Education is about.”
To show the seriousness the University attaches to the inculcation of these values, it has given all fresh students the Holy Bible which it believes is the main source that teaches these values. The Chaplaincy Centre of the University is responsible for ensuring that students are schooled in the proper use of the Bible.
Academic Work
Another priority of the University is to impart relevant knowledge and skills to the students. Thus, attending lectures, workshop sessions, lab work, clinical and doing all assignments prescribed for the courses are compulsory.
The President warned that any student who absents him/herself from lectures and practical classes without proper permission for a total of 14 days or more would not be allowed to write End of Semester Examinations.
A section of the freshers at the Matriculation Ceremony at the Okwahu Campus
The Multi Campus System
Presbyterian University College, Ghana is a multi-campus University with three of its campuses in semi urban areas-Abetifi, Akropong and Agogo
Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng said there are many opportunities at Presbyterian University College, Ghana, and combined with the serene environment of its campuses, it becomes an ideal place for study.
He assured the students of quality of teaching and learning, and dedicated and committed staff to support them throughout their stay in the University.
Financial Assistance
The President said the University is sensitive to the financial hardship that students, in private universities face. To alleviate the hardship, the University has a payment plan of four installment payables within an academic year for students.
Besides the payment plan, a student is entitled to a 5% rebate on tuition fees for the year if he/she is able to make a onetime full payment of a year’s fees. Moreover, all bona fide students of Presbyterian Church of Ghana are entitled to a 10% rebate on tuition fees.
In addition, all fresh students qualify to apply to Students’ Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) for loans, and also to the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat for Government of Ghana scholarship.
Some fresh students of the Faculty of Law at the Roll Call at the Asante Akyem Campus
Rules and Regulations
Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng cautioned the students that their stay and studies in the University is guided by the University’s Rules and Regulations.
On Academic Dress and Dress Guidelines, the President said they are spelt out in the dress code to be adhered to within the walls of the University indicating that PUCG students are expected to dress with decorum and decency.
He emphasized that students must dress appropriately to all formal University events/functions including but not limited to, lectures and other official gatherings and events.
On Code of Conduct, the President said PUCG believes that discipline is important to every human society as it inculcates in the individual the ability to choose and to do what is right at all times.
He disclosed that the code of conduct in the Students Handbook helps students to manage their emotions, have good interpersonal relationships with others, so that they do not enter easily into conflicts.
Students taking the oath at the Matriculation Ceremony at the Asante Akyem Campus
Regarding regulations for the conduct of examinations, Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng said examinations are a major part of the University’s activities and therefore for the sake of the integrity of the University, students are to eschew all forms of cheating during examinations.
Speaking on the University’s Ethics Policy, the President said the focus of the policy is to serve notice that PUCG does not condone any form of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment.
“Sexual misconduct and sexual harassment include any unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conducts of sexual nature especially when such actions give a student an advantage over others in terms of marks and other privileges,” he cautioned.
Concluding his address, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng said as a Mission University, PUCG seeks to apply its rules and regulations to the latter, although sometimes it applies the human face principle.
“Even though you are students in status pupillary, with full privileges and rights of Junior Members, you are on probation for the entire period of your study in this University. This means that you can be withdrawn at any time for unsatisfactory academic work or misconduct,” the President stated.