Univ of Ghana admits 28,149 students for 2018/2019 academic year

Out of a total of 43,215 applications received, the University of Ghana was able to admit 28,149 students for the 2018/2019 academic year, representing about 65 per cent of the total applications received.

This is because of the lack of infrastructure to accommodate the high number of students wanting to pursue university education.

The University of Ghana has consequently initiated a move to seek partnership to put up new residential facilities on campus within the next two years.

This, will help to increase students housing stock, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has stated.

He indicated that providing accommodation for all fresh students had always been a challenge although the university in recent times had put up a number of new halls of residence to augment the accommodation provided by the traditional halls.

Prof. Owusu was speaking at the 2018/2019 matriculation ceremony for newly admitted students to the university on Saturday September 22, 2018.

He said of the 11,216 registered freshmen, although 7,289 were entitled to residence only 2,488 of them representing 34 per cent had been offered accommodation. Of the figure 1,227 are female and rest male.

“This clearly indicates an improvement in female-male ratio trend from 40:60 to 49:50. The university will continue to strive towards achieving the 50:50 ratio or better,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor submitted that the university continued to invest in providing accommodation and improve the living conditions in the various halls of residence by rehabilitating the halls, improving the water supply situation, providing internet service and ensuring adequate security.

Admissions

The university received a total of 43,215 undergraduate applications for the 2018/2019 academic year but was able to admit 28,149 which constitutes about 65 per cent of the total applications received.

Of the number admitted, 11,216 students have registered for programmes at all the university campuses.

On graduate admissions, the Vice-Chancellor said in the 2018/2019 academic year, the university received a total of 8,106 applications but was able to offer admission to 2,462 applicants.

Touching on international students’ admission, Prof. Owusu noted that the university continued to attach great importance to the presence of international students on the various campuses and as such the university received 2,537 international applications for the 2018/2019 academic year.

Of that number the university was able to admit 734 applicants of which 306 students of various nationalities had successfully registered.

Adhere to rules

Prof. Owusu urged the students to be obedient to the school authorities as well as adhere to its rules and regulations to avoid sanctions.

“As fresh students you are expected to contribute your quota to enhance the university’s image wherever you find yourself, and to ensure that you do not do anything that will bring the name of the university to into disrepute,” the Vice-Chancellor told the newly admitted students.

He stressed that “you must begin to own the institution and make sure that whatever you do or say remains a compliment to the development of the university.”

Oath administration

The Registrar of the university, Mrs Mercy Haizel-Ashia, administered the matriculation oath.

She had earlier in her welcoming remarks taken the students through other matriculation ceremonies for students in the distance and sandwich programmes and other programmes during the academic year.

She wished the students well in their new environment and asked them to strive for academic excellence.

One of the fresh students, Mr David Henry Boakye-Yeboah, who delivered a speech on behalf of the fresh students on their expectations looked forward to meeting new people, forming new relationships and networking to last their lifetime.

He urged his colleagues to put up the best of behaviours and study hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.