Management of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Cape Coast (UCC) has interacted with postgraduate students of the College of Distance Education (CoDE) study centre in Wa.
The interaction forms part of the School’s strategy to engage all postgraduate students of the University to address concerns regarding their studies.
The team was made up of the Dean, Prof. Sarah Darkwa; Vice-Dean, Prof. Ruphino Zugle; Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. John Linscell Yen; Accountant, Mrs. Mavis Opoku-Boadu; Assistant Registrar, Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful and the Coordinator for CoDE Postgraduate Programmes, Dr. Felix Kwame Kumedzro.
Giving the opening remark via virtual mode, Prof. Darkwa congratulated the students on their admission to UCC. She told the students to be proud to obtain admission to the number one ranked university in Ghana, West Africa and the 7th in Africa.
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa
“You have entered into UCC at a time when the University has consistently won accolades both locally and globally. This behooves on you the responsibility to prove your worth as postgraduate students from this highly recognised university” she implored them.
Prof. Darkwa assured the students that UCC would train them to be confident and competent in their chosen areas of studies so they could contribute significantly to the development of the nation.
The Dean of SGS noted that the School coordinates all postgraduate programmes in the University whether regular, distance or sandwich mode. “We are with you when you enter into the University as postgraduate student and also ensure that you exit successfully,” she added.
She urged the students to settle their fees promptly to enable the University to continue to provide excellent services to them.
Postgraduate Students at Wa Study Centre at the programme
In his presentation, Prof. Zugle explained that the engagements with postgraduate students of CoDE was to interact and address issues as well as take suggestions and comments regarding their studies.
Prof. Zugle urged the students to spend time to read the students handbook, academic policies for graduate studies and other regulations of the University to guide them as postgraduate students.
“We want you to familiariase yourselves with the operations of the University and that of the School of Graduate School. Also, this interaction is to expose you to the policies and regulations for postgraduate education to help you succeed in your education” he explained.
Vice-Dean of SGS, Prof. Ruphino Zugle
Touching on assessment, Prof. Zugle said at the postgraduate level, the minimum mark was 60 per cent whilst the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for graduation is 2.0 for non-research programmes and 2.5 for research programmes.
The Coordinator for CoDE Postgraduate programmes, Dr. Kumedzro noted that the quality of postgraduate programmes run via distance were the same as that of the regular and sandwich modes.
Dr. Kumedzro indicated that the CoDE was working hand-in-hand with Management of SGS to provide them with quality academic services to assist them to achieve their goals for enrolling on UCC postgraduate programmes.
Coordinator of CoDE Postgraduate Programmes, Dr. Felix Kumedzro
The Senior Assistant Registrar, SGS, Mr. Yen said students who were admitted to UCC enjoy some rights and privileges adding “whilst enjoying your rights and privileges come with responsibilities”.
He advised the students to work assiduously to complete their programmes of study within the stipulated period. “You need to attend lectures regularly, do all assignments, presentations, quizzes, and any other academic activity as part of your programme of study,” he added.
Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. John Yen
He mentioned the different types of postgraduate programmes run at the masters and doctoral levels.
On his part, Mr. Nsaful explained the mode of assessment and requirements for graduation. He took students through the duration, registration and structure of non-research and research masters and doctoral programmes.
Assistant Registrar at SGS, Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful
He said the association had made arrangements to involve constituents of CoDE postgraduate students in their activities, especially GRASAG Parliament. He indicated that the association would provide them with souvenirs and also institutionalise the data package to cover CoDE postgraduate students.
President of GRASAG-UCC Chapter, Mr. Kwabena Adjepong
The students were given the opportunity to ask questions which were addressed by the officials of SGS.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC