The Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) has admitted a total of seven hundred and twenty two (722) Freshmen and Women into the University Community and into the various programmes on the five (5) Campuses at Okwahu, Asante-Akyem, Akuapem, Tema and Kumasi for the 2017/2018 Academic Year.
Admissions were into the following degree programmes: Rural and Community Development, Social Studies, Environmental & Natural Resources Management, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Business Economics, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Nursing and Physician Assistantship.
The University held separate ceremonies at the Asante Akyem and Akuapem campuses on 30th November and 1st December, 2017, respectively. The Asante Akyem Matriculation was held for students from Kumasi, Okwahu and Asante Akyem campuses while the Akuapem Ceremony was held for Freshers from Tema and Akuapem Campuses.
Appeal to Government to Reform Admission System
The President of Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng has implored the Government to reconsider entry grades to Universities to allow students who score D7 and E8 at the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to gain admission into universities (private).
The President of PUCG bemoaned the current system where such students have to re-sit the examination which takes one year or more.
Rev. Prof. Obeng asked, “Is it not possible for private universities, under the supervision of the mentor universities to mount access courses for these students, give them tuition for a specific duration, and admit them into the university?”
Referring to the past system, the President said there used to be a time in this country during the ‘A’ level times, where candidates with D’s and E’s qualified to enter into universities, and they performed creditably.
Dress code
The University has a dress code that simply requires staff and students to dress professionally. The tradition of descent dressing should be the heartbeat of a student of Presbyterian University College, Ghana.
Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng charged the Freshers to work hard and eschew short cuts in their pursuit of success. “Endeavour to read wide, set achievable targets for yourselves and strive to attain them; make good friends who will help you achieve your goals,” he said.
Examination malpractice
The President of PUCG, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng cautioned students against examination malpractice stating that no matter the magnitude of the malpractice, it will attract severe punishment.
He said examination malpractice destroys the credibility of a university’s examinations and undermines the integrity of universities. “The few occurrences of examination malpractices in this University have attracted punishment of rustication of students, and cancellation of papers”, Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng added.
PUCG Programmes
The President assured the Fresh Students that PUCG programmes are practically oriented by exposing students to series of industrial attachments and fieldwork to equip them with the needed understanding and practical experiences and competencies for the job market.
Reiterating PUCG values, Prof. Obeng stated that the University is also interested in the moral excellence of students stating that PUCG’s approach to training is essential for employment in the competitive job market. “We strive to make our students unique from the others from other Universities” he emphasised.
Students’ research activities
In a bid to enhance the use of internet by students, the University in collaboration with Vodafone Ghana has freed the excessive traffic on its internet services by issuing modems to students across all campuses.
Under this arrangement, each student would enjoy 1.5 gigabyte data monthly throughout the year including vacations. Students have the flexibility to do research, study and submit assignments at their convenience.
Tax relief
Rev. Prof. Adow Obeng thanked the Government of Ghana for the tax relief given to Private Universities during the presentation of the 2018 Year Budget. He said most of the Private Universities have been looking forward to this to reduce the burden of running the institutions.
Notwithstanding, the President appealled to the Government to extend GETFund support to the Private Universities especially in terms of staff development, research, and logistics like buses for student study tours.