UESD education addresses national, global challenges — Pro VC

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in the Eastern Region, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah, has officially admitted 421 fresh students, reminding them that the institution is not an abstract, but is rooted in addressing global and national challenges.

“You are, therefore, not just students, but you are future problem-solvers for Ghana and the world at large.

You have joined a university uniquely positioned in Ghana’s highest education landscape.

UESD stands on three pillars of environment, sustainability and development,” he told the newly admitted students.

The Registrar of the university, Mary Abena Agyepong, administered the oaths to the matriculants to begin the 2025/2026 academic year.

They were made up of 352 undergraduate students (166 males and 186 females) and 69 master’s (60 males and nine females). 

Advice to matriculants

Prof. Wiafe-Debrah said the matriculants should make three commitments to knowledge to pursue truth through learning, commitment to integrity to uphold honesty and discipline and commitment to society to use education to solve real problems.

The students

He told the new students that their education would combine theory with practice, science with innovation and knowledge with responsibility, reminding them that they would engage in fieldwork, research, community engagement and interdisciplinary learning designed to prepare them for leadership in a rapidly changing world. 

Prof. Wiafe-Debrah explained that the world they were entering demanded graduates who could think critically, adapt quickly and act responsibly. 

Degrees not enough

“Degrees alone are no longer enough. Competence, creativity and character are the new currency of success. Do not study for examinations, study for impact.

“Your disciplines will determine your destiny, integrity is more valuable than intelligence, build skills, not just grades, choose friends who will build your future, failure is feedback, not the end and above all, become global citizens with local solutions,” Prof. Wiafe Debrah advised the students.

He said the journey they had begun would shape their future in ways they could not yet imagine, as some of them would be scientists, environmental managers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and innovators.

Clear bold mandate

The Chairman of the university’s Council, Seth Terkper, in his remarks, said UESD was established with a clear, bold mandate to provide higher education, which would address the pressing environmental and sustainability concerns of our nation and global community.

He added that in a world grappling with climate change, biodiversity loss, food security and social inequality, institutions such as UESD were not just relevant but they were also essential.

The Council Chairman advised the matriculants that as they celebrated their success, they should be reminded that admission to a university was not the destination and an end in itself, but it was the beginning of a higher calling.    

A representative of the matriculants, Raymond Agbemavor Vinyo, assured management of their commitment to concentrate on their studies for the period they were going to stay in the university.