Give a life-line to needy students – UPSA appeals

The University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) has appealed to pro-poor philanthropic individuals and organisations to support its GHS100 million cedi Student Endowment Fund, which aids its brilliant but needy students to complete their undergraduate courses.

Following the high number of students truncating their education because of financial constraints and the high number of applicants for scholarships, the Vice Chancellors Endowment Fund was established two years ago to address such social needs.

Dr Albert Martins, the Acting Director, Business Development, UPSA, who made the appeal when he visited the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said for his project as the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, Marketing Man of the year 2018, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, the Vice Chancellor, would mobilise resources for the Fund.

Dr Martins made the appeal on Thursday when he accompanied Prof Okoe Amartey and other members of the University Governing Council, to pay a working visit to the GNA’s headquarters, to share his vision for the project and discuss how the two organisations could leverage their bilateral relations in the national interest.

Dr Martins said the commitment to support the needy to achieve their dreams of having careers to be able to contribute meaningfully to society was driven by the UPSA’s core values of Integrity, Respect and Service.

Every year, an average of 1,350 applicants who qualify for admission to enter the UPSA are unable to do so because of financial challenges.

Additionally, an average of 300 students defer their courses, while a significant number drop out before their final year for the same reasons.

Dr Martins stated: “We sponsored 20 students last year, 31 students this year and we are hoping to sponsor at least 55 students next year”.

“We would forever appreciate any one or organisation that would support in the securing of the welfare of these needy but brilliant students, and their contribution towards the development of the nation will always be recognised,” he said.

Lack of access to tertiary education, he noted, was a major cause of national underdevelopment and must, therefore, be addressed.

Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, said it was a worthy cause, therefore, the Agency would use its platform to publicise the appeal and good works of the University to attract the needed support.

From an initial enrolment of five students in 1967, the private professional institute has undergone different phases to become a fully fledged university with more than 15,000 students.

Earlier on, the two sides committed to joining their strengths to develop products and share expertise to improve their impact on society.

Other members of the Governing Council that visited the Agency were Dr Koryoe Anim-Wright, Acting Dean of the Centre for International Education and Collaboration, UPSA, Dr Andrew Akolaa, Head of the Department of Marketing, UPSA and Mr Kwabena Akuamoah Agyekum, the Executive Director of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana.