By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Thursday, matriculated a record 6,068 students for the 2026/2027 academic year, the highest enrolment in the institution’s history.
The students comprise 4,766 males and 1,302 females, including six international students from five countries.
The newly admitted students include 5,554 regular undergraduate students, 284 students from the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education (ICDE), 100 students enrolled in the City and Guilds Programme, and 131 students pursuing the AP Level IV Diploma Programme.
The ceremony, which marked the 36th matriculation of the University, formally admitted the students into various academic programmes and brought the total student population to 17,199.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Ebenezer Malcam, Acting Vice-Chancellor of GCTU, described the enrolment as a significant milestone in the University’s development.
He said the growing student population reflected the institution’s expanding role in technology education and its ambition to become the “Silicon Valley” of Africa.
“This is the largest number of enrolled students in the history of the University. There are 6,068 in all,” he said.
Prof Malcam, however, noted that the increase in students enrolment posed a new infrastructure challenge to the university.
To address this, he said the University had planned several projects to tackle challenges associated with lecture theatres and student accommodation, including the construction of an eight-storey building for the Faculty of Engineering, alongside plans to develop additional hostel facilities on campus.
He said the University was also adopting measures to maximise existing facilities, including restructuring lecture schedules to ensure that all students had access to lectures and practical sessions.
He added that intermittent online interactions between students and tutors would complement classroom teaching and laboratory work.
Professor Malcam said the University was committed to producing graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills to address Africa’s developmental challenges and compete in the global marketplace.
He urged the fresh students to embrace discipline, independent thinking, academic integrity and continuous learning, cautioning them against relying solely on memorisation to pass examinations.
“Do not limit yourself to memorising, or what we call ‘chew, pour, pass and forget’ information for examinations,” he advised.
He encouraged the students to explore emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics and cloud computing, and to apply their knowledge responsibly to solve societal problems.
Professor Malcam said the University had entered into partnerships with international institutions to provide students with additional professional and practical skills.
He cited the partnership with Cisco Academy as one of the opportunities through which students, particularly those pursuing technology-related programmes, could acquire professional certifications.
He also disclosed that the University was preparing to introduce transnational postgraduate programmes in January 2027, including an MBA in International Trade, an MBA in Logistics Management and programmes in online communication, to expand opportunities for students seeking international-oriented training.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the students to make their stay at the University meaningful by embracing collaboration, creativity and innovation to contribute to Ghana’s development.
Mr Divine Kpetigo, Chairman of the Governing Council, urged the matriculants to take their academic responsibilities seriously and make effective use of the opportunities available to them.
He also encouraged them to pursue academic excellence, develop practical skills and participate in extracurricular activities without losing sight of their primary responsibility of acquiring knowledge.
He assured the students that the Council and Management would continue working to provide the necessary academic environment, infrastructure and support services to facilitate their training and development.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey