Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani Diocese has admonished undergraduates to take their lectures seriously, so they can graduate with better grades, after their admission into the universities.

Speaking at the 13th Matriculation and graduation ceremony at the Catholic University College at Fiapre, in Sunyani, last Saturday, he stressed that Matriculants should sit up and learn from their lecturers and professors to gain some of their experience and avoid “being a fancy of academics” and make good use of their time to enable them complete their courses with flying colours.

He also urged them to prioritize time on what will stimulate their minds for critical thinking, good character and the ability to be critical. The Bishop, who doubles as the Episcopal Chairman of Catholic University College, advised the graduants to be hardworking and truthful at their fields of work to raise high the flag of the Catholic institution.

Bishop Gyamfi further entreated the graduants to stay away from people who belittle their intelligence.”When you go to the outside world, try and stay away from people who belittle your intelligence and potentials…if you stay with them too, upgrade them”, he said.

Bishop Kwasi Gyamfi noted that obtaining first class as undergraduates should not seem to students as a difficult task, since some past students were able to study hard for such grades. He urged them to make their parents proud by distancing themselves from third class.

“Don’t go for third class or second class…I will not even dare you to go for second class upper; go for the first class and make your parents proud,” he challenged the students. He also revealed that the vision of the Catholic University College is to create a unique university college, which could bring distinctive contribution not only to the Brong-Ahafo Region alone, which is the land of its birth, but to the entire nation.

The Most Rev. Gyamfi disclosed that the Catholic Church sees education as a tool for advancing knowledge in any society, bringing forth the establishment of the Catholic University.

Four hundred and forty eight (448) students graduated in the school this year. 162 of them were from the faculty of Education with 155 being post graduate Diploma and 7 undergraduates. Also 188 graduated from the faculty of Public Health and Allied sciences.

The Business Administration and Information, Communication and Technology faculties graduated 188 and 3 students respectively. The college has a current student population of 2,965 which is a drop of 544 from the 3,409 recorded last year. However, the college can boast of a total of 5,567 graduates since its inception.

Addressing the congregation, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the college, Dr. Anthony Bonah Koomson, advised the Matriculants to be obedient in school as they had pledged to be, since the university would hold them strictly in compliance of the pledge.

He urged them to be more focused and avoid disparaging remarks which could put off the goodwill of the university. Dr. Koomson observed that the university has extensively prepared the students making their graduation to be of value to their immediate society and the world at large.

Professor Kofi Agyekum, the Dean of students at the school of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, who graced the occasion, stressed on the need for the graduating students to value good morals through truthfulness, hardwork and dedication to duty, since the job market is very competitive.

Entreating new students not to abuse the freedom they may be enjoying in school away from their parents, he stressed on the need for them to cut off fashion which some of them valued most than their studies and learn hard to make the investment their parents made in them worthwhile.

“Exercise personal freedom with circumspection because your future depends on what you do with your time today… Manage your time well today if you want to be successful tomorrow, for time management is the key to success”, he added.

The college had been affiliated to the University of Ghana for the past 14 years. However, Professor Agyekum revealed that the University Of Ghana is in the process to acquire a charter for the Catholic University College.