Fiapre, B/A Feb. 15, GNA - Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice Chancell= or of the University of Ghana, at the weekend called on Universities to moni= tor the progress of past students in the labour front to enable them to satis= fy demands of the job market. He was speaking at the fourth congregation and 10th matriculation ceremony of the Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre near Suyani in Brong Ahafo. A total of 2,482 new students of the University matriculated while 1= 45 granduants were presented with certificates.

Prof. Yankah stressed that "Today's job market, research has reveale= d, looks largely for graduate with drive and initiative, as well as those wi= th skills in person to person communication". He said that in the labour market, preference was given to graduates=

who combine leadership and critical thinking with Information and Communication Technology skills.

Prof. Yankah: "It is indeed our responsibility to bear this in mind in drawing academic programmes for students on our various campuses: and it is important for students to realise that education is not simply what have learn in the classroom but largely on how well you have converted the several learning opportunities to advantage".

He noted that the nation's economy had achieved some level of stabil= ity but needed to grow to improve the standards of living of the people. Prof. Yankah explained that economic growth required the adoption of=

appropriate technology that could reduce the cost of production and incre= ase productivity.

He said: "Growth can be accelerated if universities, both public and=

private are better endowed to enable them produce the manpower to manage this technology". Prof. Yankah commended the role of private universities in offering quality education in the country. He praised the granduants for coming out victorious after "burning t= he midnight oil" but cautioned, that was the easy part. Prof. Yankah said: "You are leaving out to face the real world, with=

all its challenges and frustrations, but I trust that the spiritual, physical, mental and social training you have received have equipped you to meet these challenges head on".

Prof. James H.Ephraim, Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University College, noted that infrastructure development at the institution had com= e to a standstill due to non-availability of funds.

He said called on faithful Catholics and "friends of the University"= to come to its aid though the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference was making efforts to secure funds for projects. Prof. Ephraim said the goal of the University for the 2009/2010 was "Consolidation for sustainable growth". He commended individuals and institutions that support the Universi= ty. Prof. Ephraim advised the new students to be disciplined and good ambassadors of the University.

Mr. Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, called on the graduants to be worthy ambassadors of the University. He advised the new students to take advantage of opportunities being=

offered them and improve on their skills and knowledge to become marketab= le and productive.

Mr. Nyamekye Marfo said: "Value addition requires that you are innovative and analytical, making you play effective and efficient leadership role: I entreat you to work very hard and eschew laziness". Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Arch-Bisho= p of Accra and acting President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, entreat= ed both the continuing and graduating students to be guided "by the only compass that God himself has put in each and every one of us to be able t= o swim in today's corruption infested sea of life out there, with all its moral, hurricanes and Tsunamis".