UENR GRADUATES 984 STUDENTS AT ITS 5TH CONGREGATION CEREMONY

The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has graduated Nine Hundred and Eighty-Four (984) students at its 5^th congregation ceremony which was held virtually on November 28, 2020. Of this number, three hundred and Forty-Four (344) were diploma students, 177 were males representing 51% and 167 females representing 49%. Out of these, 102 had distinctions and 242 had pass. At the Undergraduate level, 709 graduands were males representing 72% whilst 277 constitutes females representing 38% and at the Postgraduate level, seventeen (17) students graduated. This brings the cumulative records of students who graduated have from the University to a total of Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Two (3,862).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Elvis Bediako-Asare in his address at the ceremony explained that the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, globally and locally has informed the University’s decision to hold the congregation ceremony partially virtual whereby only Postgraduate, undergraduates who obtained 1^st Class Honours and distinctions were privileged to attend. He also expressed his appreciation to the University Council for trusting in his expertise and vested the power on him out of the many qualified applicants who filed for his position.

Speaking on the achievements of the University, Prof. Asare-Bediako said in the few weeks as a Vice-Chancellor of UENR, he is proud to be associated with the University on its achievements. He highlighted a few accomplishments of the University notable among them includes a partnership with German Government and British Council where the University has trained at least 500 Artisans to enable them set up their own business and employ others, a partnership with the Chinese Government to provide some tertiary and second cycle institutions and communities in the country with solar power systems.

The Vice-Chancellor added that under the UENR-Kennedy Space Center Collaboration project, the Earth Observation and innovation Center (EORIC) at the University is the Center that hosts weather determining and forecasting Satellites for West Africa Sub-region, which is the only one of its kind in Africa. He further stated “the University has positioned itself to contribute immensely to the ‘Governments’ ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ initiative. The School of Agriculture and Technology(SOAT) at the Dormaa Ahenkro Campus  is also working tirelessly to support the Government’s ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ and Rearing for Food and Export Programmes, through its Agricultural and Poultry Projects.”

Not forgetting the challenges faced by the University, Prof. Asare-Bediako mentioned insufficient Lecture halls, inadequate laboratories and laboratory equipment, insufficient hostel accommodation for students, accommodation and office space for staff among others. However, he commended the government’s effort and commitment to supporting the University adding that through the GETFund, the University has received assistance in terms of laboratory equipment and awaiting installation and some training for use. Prof. Asare-Bediako entreated the Government through the GETFund and other sources to assist the University to swiftly complete on-going structures on campus.

The University Council Chairman, Prof. George Kankam in his closing remarks extended his congratulations to the graduands and advised them to put to use the knowledge acquired from the university and never be discouraged by the challenges they would encounter in their career. He assured the Council’s support to make the University a hub of academic excellence.