Ninety-one students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have been awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degrees (PhD) in various programmes of the University.
The awards were administered by the Chancellor, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during the climax of the 57th Congregation of the University on March 23, 2024.
The 57th Congregation began on Mach 21 and witnessed the graduation of 5,394 students in various programmes out of which 2,418 were undergraduates and 2,976 postgraduates.
The event on Saturday saw 880 postgraduate students- 91 PhD students and 789 MPhil students- of the institution bagging degrees in various fields.
In a speech, the Chancellor expressed his gratitude to the tutors of the institution for their efforts in nurturing and refining students year in and out and contributing to lifting the image of the University to the global stage, a situation His Majesty said makes him proud.
“The success of our dear University is dependent on your relentless effort and enviable work ethic and for this, I am grateful. You make me proud as the Chancellor of the best university in quality education globally.”
He also patted the graduands for the milestone as well as parents and guardians for their remarkable contribution to the feat.
Additionally, he counselled the graduands to consider entrepreneurship and groom themselves into job creators, creating meaningful employment to supplement the almost non-existent jobs in the country.
“As you prepare to embark on a journey in the world of work for some of you and seek better job prospects, I urge you to embrace entrepreneurship as the game changer in the 21st century. Our nation needs job creators to complement the traditional white-collar jobs.
“The public sector alone cannot accommodate the increasing number of graduates entering the workforce every year. In this respect, I entreat you to explore the diverse opportunities in our economy for the establishment of entrepreneurial ventures tailored specifically to support young graduates with innovative ideas.”
Additionally, he encouraged them to embrace the challenges life in the world market may present to them with courage and determination
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rita Akosua Dickson in her engaging speech pricked them to pursue value-addition, innovation and positive change.
“There is no doubt how very very proud we are of you for coming this far. I wish to entreat you to continue to be leaders in innovation and technology and positive change wherever you find yourself. Remember you are a lifelong learner and that tomorrow’s progress starts with today’s practice. Always look for opportunities to add value to yourself to enrich your problem-solving ability.”
Meanwhile, in an enlightening and thought-provoking speech, the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum identified the true bosses over the future, tasking the graduands to wake up to the responsibility of defining and driving their future.
“I want you to know that you hold the key to your future. The government will do its part but you have to understand that there is something called 10,000 hour rule. People who have changed their fortunes distinguished themselves and invested in themselves…did not just wake up one day and become famous. They invested in themselves and according to Malcolm Gladwell, they spent 10,000 hours owning in on their skills and improving their skills and then they succeeded.”
He furthered, “We also don’t have to forget about what Joseph Campbell calls the Hero’s Journey… When you research Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, you begin to understand that your future is in your hands, you decide to be a successful individual taking advantage of opportunities in the country.”
Present at the event were the Chairman of the University Council, Justice Anin Yeboah, Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Ellis Owusu-Dabo and traditional authorities.
Manhyia Palace
