Wisconsin International University College (WIUC), Ghana, has welcomed 2,183 newly admitted students into its community of scholars at its 23rd matriculation ceremony.
The ceremony, which also formed part of the university’s 25th anniversary celebrations, marked the official admission of students into the institution and committed them to uphold its rules and values as they begin their academic journey.
The ceremony brought together members of the University Council, Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, parents and guests.
Remarks
At the ceremony last Saturday, the President of WIUC, Dr L. A. Kannae, congratulated the fresh students on gaining admission into what he described as Ghana’s premier private university.
“You are among the few who have been given this opportunity. For most of you, one long journey has ended and another, probably more interesting, is about to begin,” he said.
Dr Kannae said matriculation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a commitment to scholarship, integrity and discipline.
He announced that 2,183 students had so far registered out of the over 3,400 who had been offered admission this academic year, with the expectation that more would join as registration progressed.
He said of the registered number, 1,449 were at the Accra campus, comprising 1,067 females and 382 males, while the Kumasi campus had 734 students.
He described the strong female representation as “reverse gender discrimination”, with women forming 78 per cent of the new entrants.
He added that the new cohort also included 18 international students from across the African continent, whom he encouraged to explore the country’s culture alongside their studies.
Growth
Dr Kannae said WIUC had expanded from fewer than 10 students in a single faculty 25 years ago to nearly 12,000 students across multiple faculties and campuses.
He said the institution had introduced postgraduate programmes in medicine, midwifery, law, cyber security and digital forensics, in addition to forging partnerships with foreign universities.
He announced the establishment of a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence laboratory, an anatomy teaching facility, and well-equipped nursing and law libraries.
“These are clear signs of the national recognition of Wisconsin International University College.
We remain committed to producing critical thinkers, innovators and professionals who will uplift Africa and impact the world,” he added.
He concluded his address by urging the students to embrace their studies with dedication.
“Your education here is an investment in your future.
Success will depend on how well you apply yourself. The future is bright, but it is up to you to earn it,” he said.
Advice
The Chairman of the University Council, Justice Isaac D. Duose, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
“This is your final opportunity to make yourself useful to yourself before you can be useful to anyone else,” he said.
He urged them to cultivate discipline, hard work and resilience as guiding principles for success.
Expectation
Speaking on behalf of the matriculates, Rebecca Pobi, a past student of WIUC, encouraged her colleagues to use education as a tool for transformation.
“Whether in law, business, medicine, cyber security or the humanities, we must prepare ourselves to shape lives, communities and nations,” she said.
She called on her peers to rise with integrity and vision as future leaders of Ghana and the world.
