Accra Technical University (ATU) has received 15,457 new students into its academic community.
The event, which was held last Saturday (February 21) at the university, welcomed 301 graduate students, 7,509 students enrolled in Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programmes, 4,009 students for the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, and 261 students from the Ghana Armed Forces School of Ordnance.
Remarks
At the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, said the matriculation ceremony marked the formal admission of students into the university and conferred on them the rights, responsibilities, and identified them as members of the ATU community.
He explained that from the day of matriculation, students ceased to be visitors and became full members of the institution, carrying the identity and reputation of the university wherever they went.
The Vice-Chancellor used the analogy of the bamboo and the oak to emphasise the importance of building a strong foundation during university education.
He noted that while the oak tree grows quickly and is admired for its strength, the bamboo spends years developing an extensive underground root system before it begins to grow rapidly.
Prof. Acakpovi explained that although the bamboo’s growth is not immediately visible, its deep and interconnected roots make it flexible and resilient, enabling it to withstand storms—unlike the oak, which may resist and ultimately break.
He told the students that their time at the university represents their “bamboo season,” a period in which they are expected to develop strong roots in discipline, knowledge, character, resilience, and technical competence.
The VC stressed that immediate results might not always be visible, but preparation and consistency would determine their long-term success.
Lessons
The vice-chancellor outlined three key lessons for the newly admitted students.
He urged them to build strong academic and professional foundations before seeking recognition, advising them to prioritise skills, competence, and mastery of fundamentals over titles and applause.
The vice-chancellor also encouraged the students to be flexible and resilient, stating that university life came with academic pressure, financial challenges, and emotional stress.
He urged them to grow beyond personal success and use their education to make a positive impact on society.
Prof. Acakpovi quoted former South African President Nelson Mandela, who described education as the most powerful weapon for changing the world, and emphasised that education without discipline was ineffective.
Expectations
The vice-chancellor reiterated the expectations of the university, stating that students were required to uphold academic integrity, avoid examination malpractice, and comply with all university regulations.
He encouraged the students to make effective use of the university’s laboratories, workshops, and innovation hubs to develop practical and technical skills.
He also urged them to participate in leadership training, skills exhibitions, and extracurricular activities, which contributed to holistic development.
Prof. Acakpovi emphasised that while a degree certificate could open doors, it was character that kept those doors open, and therefore admonished the students to demonstrate discipline, responsibility, and ethical conduct throughout their stay in the university.
University described as training workshop
The vice-chancellor described the university as a workshop where students were refined through academic instruction, practical training, and personal development.
He explained that students would experience the “heat” of assignments and the “pressure” of deadlines, which were necessary processes for shaping them into competent and responsible graduates.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh