The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa, has assured postgraduate students on distance programmes that the University of Cape Coast is committed to providing them with comprehensive support services tailored to meet their peculiar needs.
Prof. Darkwa gave this assurance when she led Management of SGS to interact with postgraduate students of the College of Distance Education (CoDE) at separate meetings in Bolgatanga and Tamale centres.
Dean of SGS, Prof. Sarah Darkwa
The team from SGS comprised the Vice-Dean, Prof. Ruphino Zugle; Coordinator for Postgraduate Programmes at CoDE, Dr. Felix Kumedzro; Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. John Linscell Yen; Accountant, Mrs. Mavis Opoku-Boadu and Assistant Registrar, Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful.
The Dean of SGS congratulated the students on their successful admission to UCC to graduate education. She noted that pursuing graduate education through distance required a great deal of motivation, discipline, and dedication to succeed. “The fact that you have taken this step demonstrates your commitment to expanding your knowledge, enhancing your skills, and advancing your career prospects” she added.
UCC Postgraduate students at Bolgatanga Study Centre
Prof. Darkwa indicated that the SGS would continue to provide quality education and administrative services to ensure students succeed in their academic and career endeavours. She advised them to take their studies seriously in order to excel in their academic pursuit.
On his part, the Vice-Dean of SGS, Prof. Zugle, urged the students to familiarise themselves with the University’s rules, regulations, policies, structures and programmes to guide them in their academic journey at UCC.
Prof. Zugle urged them to be focused in their pursuit for higher education and desist from acts that would jeopardise their dreams and aspirations. He told the students that SGS would continue to ensure that they received the needed support to succeed as graduate students of UCC.
UCC Postgraduate students at Bolgatanga Study Centre
“I want each and every one of you to know that you are an essential part of our academic community, and your achievements are valued greatly,” he assured.
Speaking at the programme, the Postgraduate Coordinator at CoDE, Dr. Felix Kumedzro, explained that the visit was to interact with them so their voices were heard as members of the University community.
Coordinator of Postgraduate Programmes at CoDE, Dr. Felix Kumedzro
He noted that though they were pursuing their studies as distance students, it was the SGS that supervises their studies in the University. “We’re here to listen to you whilst you share your experiences and challenges you face as graduate students on UCC distance programme,” he indicated.
UCC Postgraduate students at Tamale Study Centre
The Senior Assistant Registrar at SGS reminded the students of their responsibilities as junior members of the University as spelt out in the Students’ Handbook and the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies.
“You will succeed in your academic endeavours at UCC if you acquaint yourselves with these documents” he noted. Mr. Yen informed the students that the University would continue to provide a congenial atmosphere to promote teaching, learning and research.
Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. John Linsell Yen
In her presentation, the Accountant at SGS, Mrs. Mavis Opoku-Boadu prompted students of their obligation to settle their fees early to enable the University to continue to provide them with quality services.
“It’s essential for postgraduate students to manage their finances effectively and make timely payments to avoid any disruptions to your academic journey” she added. She said all payments must be made at the designated banks as well as the mobile short codes the University had communicated to students.
Accountant at SGS, Mrs. Mavis Opoku-Boadu
Making a presentation on aspects of the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies, Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful, noted that the pass mark at the graduate level was 60% and any student who score below that mark in any course would have to rewrite that course. He explained that students pursuing research masters but could not complete the thesis component of their programmes had the opportunity to step down to a lower masters’ degree in the same programme.
Mr. Nsaful took the students through channels of communication with SGS and urged them to follow the procedure when there was the need to do so.
Assistant Registrar at SGS, Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful
He further explained the duration, mode of delivery and structure of postgraduate programmes; regulations for award of degrees; requirements for graduation.
The Treasurer of Graduate Students Association of Ghana, UCC chapter, Mr. Alfred Kusi Tandoh, informed the students that the Association had made provision for representatives of distance students to participate in senate meetings. He said the Association would continue to promote the interests of all graduate students of UCC including those on distance programmes.
The team responded to questions and also noted down suggestions and recommendations from students during the interaction sessions.
The team later visited the CoDE Study Centre in Zuarungu to inspect the state of the facility after interacting with the students in Bolgatanga.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC