Fiapre (B/A), Oct. 19, GNA - A total of 622 fresh students were admitted to the Catholic University College of Ghana at Fiapre in Brong Ahafo on Saturday with a call on them to remember that they had entered the institution to acquire knowledge and skills to become functional in society. Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, Vice Chancellor of the University College who made the call in his address at the seventh matriculation ceremony of the University at its new campus at the weekend, told the freshers they were "a chosen people, a royal priesthood and a people set apart".

The new students, made up of 364 males and 258 females took the matriculation oath which was administered by their various deans assisted by Mr Ernest K. Odoom, Registrar. They will variously undertake Bachelor's degree programmes in Public Health and Allied Sciences, Information and Communication Sciences and Technology, Religious Studies and Education, Education, Economics and Business Administration. Professor Ephraim stressed that their presence was a "testimony of a commitment to become our special partner in building the Catholic University of Ghana, where knowledge as created by God is discovered by man to transform the world into a place devoid of hunger, disease, poverty and suffering".

He emphasized that the University which started in March 2003 with 50 students, had steadily grown and was currently providing opportunities to 1,280 students to access tertiary education in a very holistic manner.

"The Vice Chancellor's vision for the institution remains the same as follows: The Catholic University of Ghana shall combine innovative teaching with excellence in the utilization of God's knowledge for the advancement of mankind," Prof Ephraim stated.

Prof Ephraim said under his tenure the institution would experience significant growth in terms of infrastructure and the administration would endeavour to attract the best brains both within the country and from international circles to be engaged as lecturers. "At the same time the members of staff who only have their Masters degrees shall be encouraged to upgrade themselves," the Vice Chancellor said, adding, in the immediate future undergraduate courses in Agriculture and Environmental Science, Actuarial Science (Financial Mathematics), Mathematics with Finance, Mathematics with Economics and Nursing would be offered.

Prof Ephraim said the University's administration was refreshingly transparent and cautioned the students against the writing of anonymous letters, saying that would not be tolerated. "The University administration accepts suggestions, complaints," he said and advised students to always provide their names with any suggestion or complaint to enable serious consideration. "My administration hinges on the basis that every stakeholder in this venture plays his/her part within the existent rules and regulations," Prof Ephraim added.

The Vice Chancellor advised the students to study hard and to use their time wisely while discipline should be their key word, adding moderation should underpin all their activities. Prof Ephraim cautioned the students that the University required them to dress appropriately for events, stressing that decent dressing was the law.

Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani who presided congratulated the matriculants and reminded them that they were benefiting from many years of Catholic experience in University education.

He urged the fresh students to abide by the rules and regulations of the University College so they could come out as responsible citizens who could contribute meaningfully to national development.