The University of Mines and Technology held a matriculation ceremony on Saturday, 12th August, 2023 to formally welcome 44 newly admitted freshmen to the University’s Study Centre at Bibiani. The freshmen made up of 34 males and 10 females were conferred as junior members in statu pupillari and have been enrolled on certificate programmes in Surface and Underground Mining, Occupational Health and Safety, Plant and Maintenance and Survey and Mapping, following the fulfilment of admissions requirements into the University.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, on behalf of the University Council and Academic Board, welcomed the freshmen. In an address, Professor Amankwah encouraged the new students to take maximum advantage of the educational opportunity and challenge themselves by building their intellectual capacities. Professor Amankwah assured the students that the University will create the right environment for them to grow their ideas, pursue their studies and develop themselves professionally to enable them to meet industrial needs both in Ghana and abroad.
Also highlighting the standards of the University and the values of Knowledge, Truth and Excellence, the Vice Chancellor advised the students to be aware of the tenets that regulate student life and ensure that they live and abide by them throughout their academic journey.
Professor Amankwah also expressed his appreciation to stakeholders, especially to the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anwiaso traditional area, Ogyeahohoo Gyebi and the former Regional Minister for the Western North Region and Member of Parliament for the Bibiani-Anwiaso-Bekwai constituency, Hon Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu for their enthusiasm and commitment towards the establishment of the first community school at Bibiani.
Professor Amankwah indicated that the University has plans of building community schools in many mineral-rich communities in Ghana to enhance the capacity of community members and improve local content for the minerals and mining industries. Professor Amankwah also indicated that the University will be using both virtual and in-person lectures to engage students in order to bring mining and allied education to the doorstep of Ghanaians and other nationals.
The Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anwiaso traditional area, and Guest of Honour for the Ceremony, Ogyeahohoo Gyebi congratulated the freshmen for taking a bold step towards self-development. He said that the UMaT Bibiani Study Centre had come at the right time to empower the people of Bibiani and that the 700-seater Study Centre was large enough to accommodate the youth of Bibiani. He urged parents, guardians, the youth and all stakeholders to support the initiative and take advantage of the opportunity.
The matriculation oath was administered by the Registrar, Mr M. K. Okrah. Other officials of the University who were present at the ceremony included the Coordinator for Undergraduate Short Courses, Dr E. Stem, the Coordinator for the Pre-Engineering Programme, Dr A. Buabeng, the Head, University Relations Office, Mr T. B. Eshun, and the Assistant Registrar, Institutional Affiliations, Ms Bernice W. Ahadzi.
