By Akosua Frema Frempong
The Vice-Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University, Ing. Professor Osei-Wusu Achaw, has admonished newly admitted students of the institution to position themselves to excel academically by paying attention to their lecturers as well as cultivating the habit of reading widely and work hard to accomplish the purpose for which they were admitted into the institution.
Ing. Prof. Owusu-Achaw was speaking at the 30th matriculation of the Kumasi Technical University to formally admit students desiring to pursue degree, diploma, or HND programmes, in Kumasi.
According to him, the technical university received over 7,500 applications out of which more than seven thousand were offered admission.
However, a little above five thousand registered as students of the University. They include 64 point seven percent males and 35 point three percent females, while four point three percent of those who applied were deemed unqualified.
Ing. Prof. Owusu Achaw reminded the students that matriculation is a rite of passage which legitimises the status of all fresh students as members of the university by conferring academic and social rights as well as other privileges.
Also, it equally imposes on students some obligations and responsibilities.
Ing. Prof. Owusu Achaw noted that the oath sworn at the ceremony is indicative of a contract the fresh students have entered into with the university.
“You are bound by this oath to strictly adhere to all rules and regulations of the University. Breaking this oath can attract dire consequences to yourself and also has the potential of jeopardising your academic career. The students Handbook contains all the rules and regulations that will guide your stay and self-conduct in the duration you will be with us. Please ensure that you stay abreast with all the rules and regulations in the students’ handbook. The University will not hesitate to sanction you when you fall foul of any rules. Take note that the University maintains high academic standards and will therefore not compromise on them,” he indicated.
“Examinations are at the core of our activities here. We take them very seriously. I advise you to take them serious too. Any incident of examination malpractice can lead to your dismissal from the University. It is instructive to also remember that this stage of your life is just the beginning of yet another phase. I therefore admonish that you work diligently to have a brilliant start. The success of your later life will in part depend on how you fare in this phase. Your commitment to the purpose for which you are here shall play a key role in your intellectual development,” he explained.
The various heads of department led their respective students to take the matriculation oath. Currently, the university runs courses under the following faculties: health sciences, applied sciences and technology, engineering and technology, built and natural environments, creative arts and technology, and entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
Others are graduate school, school of business and institute of distance learning and continuing education.
