Veep: Train students to be critical thinkers

Vice-President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur has called on university authorities to train students to be equipped with the knowledge, skills and leadership qualities that are relevant for the constantly changing needs of the modern global economy.

“It is the responsibility of universities to graduate students who can match their counterparts from other parts of the world. It is not enough for our students to be just knowledgeable but they must be trained to be able to apply their knowledge to solve the pressing needs of our societies, “he stated.

Speaking at the Inauguration of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Diamond Club in Accra, he said, the challenge requires not just government support but also the mobilisation of resources from different sources to develop the human capital requirements.

Vice President Amissah Arthur said one way of making the university’s relevant to the society is through partnership with industry in training students and build capacity of its faculty to deliver timely solutions to challenges through research.

He said government would continue to invest in the sector and support universities by developing key facilities to produce high-quality manpower.

Professor D.D Kuupole, Vice Chancellor of UCC noted that the University as a corporate entity is focused on having a strong body that is worldwide acclaimed to produce good graduate that could be accepted worldwide.

He said here is a good environment to learn and the University has produced finest graduates in business, politics, finance and entrepreneurship.

He said five colleges have been established to enhance learning which are: College of Humanities, College of Agricultural, College of Health, College of Education Studies and College of Distance Education.

Prof Kuupole says the University has established partnership with industries and individuals.

The club members were inaugurated and notable among them include: Dr Sir Sam Essuon Jonah - Chancellor UCC, Nana Sam Brew - Butler - Chairman of Council - UCC, Prof. D.D Kuupole - Vice Chancellor - UCC, Mr Ebo Barton - Oduro - MP Cape Coast North, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah - CEO Brownstone Capital, and Abraham Amaliba, Esq. - Legal Practitioner,

The University launched the Advancement Support Campaign which targets a 10- year agenda for the University to achieve specific projects in three main areas: campus enhancement, innovation and public services.

The campaign sought to create an environment to improve student life, foster student-focused learning and students with strong ethics and commitment to the society.

The campaign is also to develop and strengthen integrated ICT infrastructure and facilities that support teaching and learning, research and outreach.

The target of the campaign is to raise an amount of GH? 10 million every appeal year for the next 10 years to realise the campaign objective.