AUCB holds first congregation since attaining presidential charter

The African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) has graduated 350 students at its 23rd Congregation Ceremony in Accra, marking its first graduation ceremony since attaining a Presidential Charter and becoming a fully autonomous university.

The graduating class comprises 206 undergraduate and 144 postgraduate students, making them the first cohort to receive certificates issued in the University's own name following its transition from a university college to an autonomous institution.

Speaking at the ceremony as Special Guest of Honour, the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, cautioned universities against admitting more doctoral students than they have the capacity to supervise.

He stressed that the expansion of doctoral programmes must be guided by institutional capacity, warning that a doctorate must not become a commercial product.

“Growth in numbers must never outpace capacity,” he said.

Professor Jinapor explained that universities seeking to expand their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes must first ensure the availability of qualified supervisors, adequate research facilities, library resources and sustainable funding to support rigorous academic work.

He emphasised that doctoral education requires years of intensive study, original research and thorough examination, making it essential for institutions to align admissions with their supervisory and research capabilities.

The GTEC Director-General also highlighted the importance of quality assurance in online, blended and distance education, noting that such modes of learning can expand access to higher education but must maintain standards comparable to traditional campus-based programmes.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of AUCB, Professor Abeiku Blankson, described the congregation as a landmark moment in the University's history, noting that it was the first graduation since the institution attained its Presidential Charter.

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He said the Charter represented more than a change in institutional status, as it affirmed AUCB's academic maturity, institutional autonomy and responsibility to shape its own future.

Professor Blankson also used the occasion to reflect on the achievements of his administration over the past five years, which began in September 2021 amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial pressures, technological gaps, staffing constraints and increasing regulatory demands.

He said the administration's transformation agenda, guided by the University's 2022–2027 Strategic Vision, focused on good governance, accountability, innovation, collaboration and student success.

According to him, the University's academic portfolio expanded from six programmes at the beginning of the administration's tenure to 12 by 2026, with additional programmes submitted to GTEC or at various stages of development.

Undergraduate enrolment also increased from 1,148 in the 2020/2021 academic year to 1,670 in 2024/2025, while postgraduate enrolment reached approximately 300 students during the same period.

The Vice-Chancellor said the University had also strengthened practical and applied learning by transforming the undergraduate thesis requirement into a project-based approach, enabling students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges in society, industry and organisations.

The ceremony also recognised the academic achievements of the graduating class, with Barbara Kafui Affram named valedictorian.

The 23rd Congregation was held under the theme, “Transforming Higher Education for a Resilient Nation: Leveraging for Sustainable Development.”

AM

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