Koforidua (Eastern Region) -- A church service was held at Koforidua on Monday to mark the official opening of the first academic year of the All Nations University (ANU) with 50 pioneer students.

The university, which has its infrastructural work still on-going, is being sponsored by the All Nations International Development Agency (ANIDA), a non-governmental organisation based in Canada.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the University, the Rev Dr Samuel Donkor, announced that the university was initially starting with programmes in Business Administration, Computer Science and Biblical Studies.

He explained that the curriculum had been designed to provide the students with the necessary skills needed by industries and also to assist the Church in its "manifold ministries in local parishes, para-church agencies and educational institutions".

Rev Donkor said the university, with affiliation with the Karunya Institute of Technology, an engineering college in India, would also offer faculty exchange as well as student exchange programmes for an enriching educational experience.

He noted that the challenges of the 21st century makes education embedded in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship very important, saying however, that, "this should be pursued in an environment of Christian truth and integrity."

Rev Donkor hoped ANU would provide its students with the kind of education that would equip them with "world class" education to be able to compete successfully in the global market.

He stressed the need for the future leaders of the nation to be given