UG admits nearly 15,000 students amidst grim challenges
 

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Ernest Aryeetey says the University managed to admit 14,883 students out 37,326 applications received for the 2014/2015 academic year in the wake of grave challenges.

A total of 1,550 international students from about 27 countries have also been admitted to pursue varied programs at different levels.

The Vice Chancellor said the university faced water, infrastructure and power glitches coupled with rampant noise pollution emanating from public transport operators trying to take over the campus.

Professor Aryeetey, who said this at the UG 2014 matriculation also cited noise from students’ hall week celebrations and “religious groups that erroneously believe that prayer is most effective when it is loud” as some of the problems.

“It has been extremely difficult to tackle these in view of the changing social dynamics of this country,” he said.

He also said a situation where applicants complete and submit their online application forms before the release of result by the West African Examination Council posed serious hitches since after the release of the results, some applicants realise that they do not have the aggregate required for the programs they have chosen.

In spite of the challenges the university said it is one of the only three universities in Sub Saharan Africa outside South Africa that have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings at the 701th position.

According to Professor Aryeetey, this is the first time Sub Saharan universities have been ranked, showing major improvements taking place in some universities in the region.

In the Webometrics Rankings of Sub Saharan African universities, UG moved from the 18th in 2013 to 15th in 2014, he added.

He noted that the University’s achievements had been possible due to reforms and investments it has made to improve infrastructure; investing in science equipment, academic buildings as well as engaging in research and publications.


SOURCE: GNA