Islamic University College congregation - Graduates charged to build social capital, explore businesses

The Islamic University College, Ghana (IUCG) had held its 19th congregation with an advice to graduates not to rely solely on their certificates and qualifications as panacea for success.

 A Data Update Officer at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Alhaii Yussif Baba Suleman, who gave the advice, said that was because their qualifications and experiences alone might not be enough for them to survive out in the real world place.

He, therefore, encouraged them to build social capital and explore business opportunities since prevailing realities had shown that white collar jobs were no longer available.

“Wherever you are found presently, make friends and build good relationships with everyone around you.

Your former classmate, co-worker or even former lecturer can become the President of Ghana, CEO of a multinational corporation an inventor, an investor who may require your expertise,” he said.

Mr Suleman gave the advice in his keynote address at the ceremony held in Accra on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The ceremony doubled as a matriculation for freshmen and women where Bachelor’s Degrees were conferred on 222; 113 males and 109 females.

Of this number, 83 were in Business Administration with options in Accounting, Marking, Banking and Finance and HRM; 71 were in Communication Studies with options in Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising; 39 in Religious Studies and 29 in Education.

There was also the presentation of special awards to students who performed exceptionally. 

Springboard, basic cetificate

Mr Suleman encouraged them not be gratified because they had obtained a first degree but should rather use it to achieve unimaginable heights.

“You will meet threats, obstacles and unrelenting challenges as you seek to grow and develop. Be happy when you face such things.

The happenings in the period between 2019 and 2022 have taught us that, threats and challenges create creativity, innovation and opportunities,” he added.

The Vice-President of the university in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr Husseini I. Ibrahim, iterated the point by advising them to resist the temptation of seeing the degree as the end of their educational pursuits and rather strive to add more because, “first degree has become basic these days.” 

Religious tolerance

The President of the university, Dr Ali Arab Khor Asani, beseeched the graduates to be good ambassadors of the institution and continue to be champions of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

“According to development economists, religious education, if it leads to religious tolerance, serves as the engine for development.

However, if it leads to religious intolerance, it acts as an impediment in the path of development.

So IUCG abhors all kinds of religious intolerance,” he stressed.

To the matriculants, Dr Asani entreated them to work hard in order not to let down their families and the entire nation because they carried on their shoulders their aspirations to be well-educated and competitive in a scientific and technological world.