By Emelia B. Addae
Somanya (E/R), Nov. 26, GNA – The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) has held its second graduation ceremony, conferring bachelor’s degrees on 200 students from the School of Sustainable Development and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.
The graduating class comprised 120 males and 80 females. The ceremony, held at the university’s campus in Somanya in the Eastern Region, was on the theme: “From Knowledge to Action: Advancing Environmental Stewardship and Societal Transformation.”
Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea Kubi, a former Eastern Regional Minister, represented the Chief of Staff, who was the Special Guest of Honour.
He described UESD as Ghana’s strategic response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the university’s academic and research focus aligns with key goals such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
“Your curriculum and research are not merely academic exercises. They are vital tools for national development,” he said, urging the graduates to become innovators in waste management and renewable energy solutions for communities.
Dr. Kubi reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the university through infrastructure development, research funding, and initiatives that would consolidate its status as a centre of excellence.
Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Vice-Chancellor of UESD, said the university, established on August 5, 2020, with 78 students, now has a population of about 1,370.
It currently runs 30 academic programmes – 27 undergraduate and three graduate programmes, including MPhil in Sustainable Aquaculture and Biotechnology, MPhil in Environmental Restoration Studies, and MSc in Environmental Restoration Studies.
He announced that the university had secured a competitive grant under the British Council’s Enterprise Support and Incubation Curriculum Development (ESICD) Project to establish the UESD Innovation and Incubation Hub (UESD IHUB) in 2024.
The hub aims to nurture early-stage student ventures and contribute to Ghana’s broader development agenda.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, however, highlighted challenges facing the university, including inadequate classroom blocks, limited office space for academic staff, insufficient school transport, and lack of accommodation for students and staff.
He appealed to government, development partners, and individuals to support efforts to address these constraints.
Mr. Seth Emmanuel Terkper, a former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the UESD Council, acknowledged the contributions of the pioneering council, traditional authorities, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the Ghana Education Trust Fund in navigating the university’s formative challenges.
He indicated that the university council was currently reviewing its five-year strategic plan to reflect a renewed focus under the current leadership, ensuring agility and impact.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/George-Ramsey Benamba