The University of Cape Coast has organised an orientation programme for the first cohort of Police Cadet Officers admitted to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies in the 2020/2021 Academic Year.

The programme, which was held at Auditorium 900 in the C. A. Ackah Lecture Complex, was to expose the students to academic work and the University community in general.

In his welcome address, the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame, explained that the orientation programme was to offer the students the necessary information and assistance that would help them to succeed academically and develop personally. “At the end of the orientation, we expect that you will be adequately prepared to face and surmount any challenges in your studies right from the start,” he said.

The Registrar urged the students to be guided by excellence, empowerment, equal opportunities and ethical behaviour which formed the core values of the University. He was hopeful that their visit to UCC campus would be worthwhile.

The Dean of students, Prof. Eugene Kofour Maafo Darteh, assured the students that his Office would work with other Departments and Units to create a conducive teaching, learning and living environment to ensure their success and development as students of UCC. “In this instance, your living and study environment is at the Police Academy in Tesano, Accra, and we will liaise with relevant sections of the University to ensure that you are comfortable and your academic work progresses steadily until you graduate,” he assured.

The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), Prof. Sarah Darkwa, explained that the School was responsible for coordinating postgraduate programmes in the five Colleges of the University.  “In essence, our key responsibilities are admissions and placement of students in Departments, Schools and Faculties; supervision of dissertation/thesis; collation of results for approval by the Academic Board and then to the Directorate of Academic Affairs for certification,” she explained.

The Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. Eugene Hesse, run the students through the academic policies and regulations with emphasis on the grading system and requirements for graduation.

Present at the function were the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Jojo Eghan; Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Justice Kwabena Sarfo; Director of Academic Affairs, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, Esq; and Director of Public Affairs, Major Kofi Baah-Bentum (rtd).

The students were taken around on a tour after the orientation programme.