Lancaster University Ghana on Thursday celebrated its first Graduation Ceremony at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel.
For over 50 years Lancaster University has been providing World Class education to students across the world. Lancaster University holds top 10 positions in all major UK league tables and a global league table position inside the top 150 of all universities world-wide. Lancaster University Ghana is the only fully fledged branch campus in West Africa, which is committed to producing graduates who have the skills and knowledge to meet industrial, societal and governmental needs in Ghana and beyond.
Lancaster University Ghana, a partnership between Lancaster University UK and Transnational Academic Group has grown from 67 students since its inception in 2013, to over 500 students. Transnational Academic Group (TAG) partners with universities and other higher education organisations that have a strong international orientation and that are committed to the delivery of their programmes in emerging nations.
At Lancaster University Ghana, students are taught by a combination of international, local and Lancaster University lecturers. Faculty from Lancaster University UK deliver the post graduate programme modules and provide guest lectures and/or co-teach undergraduate programmes with Accra based academics. The faculty offers high quality teaching and brings a world of experience to the programme. The faculty comes from various countries, some of which include Ghana, India, Nigeria, Australia and Germany. LUG offers the exact same degree to those offered at the Lancaster University campus in the UK. This means that graduating students are awarded the same qualifications – as if they were studying at the main campus. Students also have the option of transferring to the UK once they complete their foundation year, as well as the opportunity to participate in many exchange programmes throughout the academic year.
Eighty (80) students were awarded Bachelors Degrees in the following courses: Economics and International Relations, Politics and International Relations, Accounting and Finance, Computer Studies, Business Studies, Marketing and Law. These students come from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and the United Kingdom. The graduating students have either completed a one year Foundation Programme, followed by three years of Undergraduate study, making a total of four years of study, or direct entry into the three year Undergraduate programme.
At the Graduation Ceremony, degrees were conferred by the Chancellor of Lancaster University, Rt Hon Alan Milburn. Other special guests in attendance included The British High Commissioner, His Excellency Iain Walker; Co-Chairmen of Transnational Academic Group, Mr Rakesh Wahi and Mr Zafar Siddiqi; The Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board, Mr Kwame Dattey; and other staff and faculty of Lancaster University, UK.
In the Chancellor’s Welcome Address he stated, “Graduation ceremonies mark the transition from graduand to graduate – the steps taken across this stage are symbolic of a giant leap forward. You are the first students to graduate from our Ghana campus, and it is an enormous privilege to be here today to share it with you and your families. Your certificate evidences academic success and subject knowledge, but we all recognise that coming to University builds a range of vital qualities for your lives and future careers. You will have faced problems, challenges and new situations, showing resilience to overcome these. Perhaps most importantly you will have experienced the relationship between effort and reward; proof, if it was needed, that if you work hard and apply yourself you stand to make the most of your talents.”
Three outstanding graduates were presented with awards during the ceremony: Joffrey Doma (Politics & International Relations) and Daniel Boateng (Accounting & Finance), were given the Chancellor’s Medal; which is awarded to the most meritorious students of the graduating class. John Ennin (Economics & International Relations) was given the Founders’ Award, for being the student who best embodies the TAG values.
Additionally, Distinguished Alumnus Recognition was given to Oheneba Lovelace Prempeh, son of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, Asantehene (1931 – 1970), for being one of the first five Africans to gain admission to Lancaster University in the UK. Mr Prempeh graduated in 1968 with a BA honours in Economics.
The inaugural graduation marked the end of an era for the graduates, but also a new beginning as alumni of Lancaster University. These graduates have now officially joined a community of well over 100,000 alumni from virtually every country in the world; a network which will provide support, advice and friendship throughout their lives.
