SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CHRIST APOSTOLIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ON THE OCCASION OF THE …4th…………
MATRICATION
Registrar;
Deans of Schools;
Members of Academic Board
Continuing Students;
Matriculants;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good Morning.
On behalf of the Chancellor, Chairman and members of the University Council,
members of the Academic Board, Staff, continuing students of CAUC and on my
own behalf, I take this opportunity to welcome you all to this solemn ceremony of
matriculation.
Matriculation is simply a ceremony for the enrolment of students in a college or
university. It is during the matriculation ceremony that you formally acquire
studentship status of the University by taking the “matriculation oath” like the one
that you have taken today after writing your names in the register of students. We
are today matriculating 383 students comprising 187 undergraduate degree
students, 66 diplomates and 129 Certificate students..
We are delighted that you have joined us, and that you are now part of the CAUC
family. By choosing to enroll at the CAUC, you are joining a Christian centered
institution that seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, moral, ethical and social
development of students. The vision of this university emphasises integrity,
academic achievement and employability.
For you as students, you join a university at a particularly momentous time in the
history of our dear country Ghana. The lack of basic morality and ethics has eroded
efficiency and effectiveness in many business operations. The Christ Apostolic
university College places emphasis on hard work and high moral standards . It
therefore frowns upon all forms of indiscipline. I therefore admonish you to stay
away from all vices like cultism, robbery, examination malpractices narcotic drugs
and sexual harassment that could damage your peaceful stay on campus. The
university will not condone any form of indiscipline. That is part of the reason why
we run a course on ethics, morality and social responsibility.
You must therefore respect your matriculation oath and endeavor to be persons of
value, persons who will be useful to themselves and society and, indeed the motto
of this university college:" shinning as light holding forth the word ".
On employability, gone are the days when employers hovered on the campuses of
our universities poaching and offering employment to students even before they
graduate. For the first time in the history of this country, we now have the
Unemployed Graduates Association of Ghana (UGAG). Rightsizing downsizing
and reorganization, very common global features, has led to smaller workforce
where employees with multiple skills are most appreciated. This demands that
individuals possess skills in virtually every field. In this wise, we are committed
and dedicated to prepare our students with the skills which will set them apart at
the workplace. All our programmes have therefore been designed to provide
students with valuable business, management and entrepreneurial skills which will
help them succeed in the modern business environment.. In addition, the CAUC
will be running professional and other courses during the long vacation for small
fee.
As you might have discovered, we have a highly experienced and motivated
academic staff handling our programmes They are therefore well qualified to tutor
and menfor you.
We believe that the best measure of educational success is the ability for an
individual after completing secular education, not to just get a job and pay
recurrent bills, but rather to be able to create jobs for themselves and others and
run a profitable venture that creates wealth for your family, community and the
country at large. Courses such as hospitality and tourism management and
communication design, are designed to fit you into any profession you choose to
apply yourself after completing this university education. Work is solving a
problem and getting paid for it. Ghana is currently overwhelmed with numerous
problems that require solution. You will need skills and knowledge to solve
problems. This is the real reason why you are here. You are here first and
foremost to get a degree. Academic achievement is one means by which you
achieve employability. But to attain the final objective of being employable and
entrepreneurial you have to apply yourself to gaining knowledge, developing skills
and finally being assessed to see how well you have managed this.
Those of you who desire and are determined to succeed in your life at the
university should take note of the following:
attend all set lecturers, tutorials, seminars and workshops or laboratory sessions
, pay attention, and take notes.
work for hours on your own, outside the formal class time
use your time effectively.
The CAUC is setting up a business incubation center this academic year. This
means that while on or off campus, you can think about how you can apply the
knowledge and skills you've acquired at CAUC towards solving a problem in our
society. The business incubation center will be there to guide and help you develop
these ideas into a viable business. At this university, you will have access to four
faculties, school of business, technology, theology and education. Experienced
staff will be willing and capable to support, teach and direct your formative career
path.
Let me once again congratulate you for your matriculation; and I rejoice with you
that you have reached this stage.
Thanks you and God Richly Bless you.
