By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Nov. 24, GNA – The SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) has graduated 2,321 students, comprising 1,448 undergraduate and 873 postgraduate students, at its 3rd congregation ceremony.
The number represented about 34 per cent increase over 1,513 students who graduated last year.
Speaking at the ceremony in Wa at the weekend, Professor Emmanuel K. Derbile, the Vice Chancellor of the SDD-UBIDS, reiterated the university’s commitment to producing industry-fit graduates for the job market.
“We seek to produce graduates who are not only well-versed in narrow academic disciplines, but who have interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary skills that will make the difference in an increasingly complex world”, he explained.
The SDD-UBIDS was established by Act 1001, 2019 with a mandate to become an internationally acclaimed applied research and practical-oriented educational institution, dedicated to development of business and integrated development studies.
Prof. Derbile stated that despite efforts to meet its mandate, the school was grappling with infrastructure deficit due to funding challenges.
Several infrastructure projects, including hostel facilities, some of them funded by GETFund, had stalled for a long time leaving the school at the mercy of limited facilities, compelling the university to locate some of its faculties and schools outside the campus.
Besides, many students rely on private hostels in town, which is relatively distanced from the school.
Prof. Derbile said the school management had initiated the “Accelerated GETFund Infrastructure Completion Project/Initiative,” which sought to draw on Internally Generated Funds and other practicable funding sources for a speedy completion of priority GETFund projects on the university Campus.
Mr Kweku Yamoah Paintsil, the Chairperson of the SDD-UBIDS Council, said the university had made significant strides in achieving its vision of providing transformative, relevant and accessible education to all.
He espoused the production of Professors and Associate Professors in the university among other success within the last academic year as incredible in the life of a fairly young university like the SDD-UBIDS.
“We are committed to ensuring that our graduates continue to receive the world-class education that prepares them for the ever-evolving demands of the global marketplace”, Mr Paintsil added.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper West Regional Minister, reiterated the government’s commitment to creating the enabling environment for universities in the country to thrive, promoting quality education, research and innovation.
He said the government had established the Ghana Research Fund to support research initiatives in universities because it recognised the critical role research and innovation played in economic growth and development.
Mr Meela Bernard Bieniyir emerged the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.82 while Ms Joan Eyram Badzi was the best graduating female student with a CGPA of 4.79.
In his valedictory speech, Mr Bieniyir appealed to the government and all relevant stakeholders to address the pressing infrastructure challenges the school was facing to enhance academic activities in the school.
A total of 13 awards were presented to deserving graduating students including the University Council’s award to the best graduating student and the Fidelity Bank’s awards to the best graduating female student.
GNA