Congratulations to our Class of 2018! - Lancaster University Ghana

On Friday 21st September, 2018, we had our second undergraduate Graduation Ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel.

At LUG, we provide a world class degree delivered by exceptional academic staff, with outstanding student support, scholarships, and a family friendly experience. We are the only university which delivers a British degree in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a global pathway for all our graduates. We have a distinctive approach to education focusing on helping our graduates develop a creative approach to problem solving, an ethic of service, and the ability to meet the very considerable challenges that lie ahead of them.

Lancaster University holds top ten positions in all major UK league tables and a global league table position inside the top 150 of all universities world-wide. Rising to its highest ever ranking of 6th in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, Lancaster University was also named their University of the Year 2018. The University has also received the UK government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award for outstanding teaching, an outstanding learning environment and delivering excellent employment outcomes for its students. This is the highest possible rating a university can achieve.

Since our inauguration in 2013, LUG has grown from 67 students, to over 500 students. Our branch campus offers the exact same degree to those offered at our main campus in the UK. This means that our graduating students are awarded the same qualifications – as if they were studying at the UK campus, at a fraction of the cost. Students also have the option of transferring to the UK once they complete their foundation year, as well as the opportunity to participate in many exchange programmes throughout the academic year.

At this year’s graduation, one hundred and five (105) students were awarded Bachelor’s Degrees in the following courses: Economics and International Relations, Politics and International Relations, Accounting and Finance, Computer Studies, Business Studies, Marketing, Psychology and Law. These students come from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast as well as a range of others.

Degrees were conferred by Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University UK. Special guests in attendance included Mr Rakesh Wahi, Co-Founder of Transnational Academic Group, Professor Sharon Huttly, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, who received Distinguished Alumnus Recognition for his achievements after getting his MSc Finance in Lancaster University in 2004, and other Faculty from Lancaster University, UK.

“Our graduands here today are only the second cohort to graduate and many hundreds more will follow them in the years to come,” the Vice-Chancellor told the audience at the ceremony. “Today Lancaster is a truly global university. At a time when there is such profound uncertainty, even volatility, in so many parts of the world, when social, economic and political change has become the new normal and when some societies and their political leaders have been tempted to turn inwards, Lancaster remains resolute in our determination to be a university that is open to the world. We believe in building bridges not walls”. Click here to watch Professor Smith’s Interview with CNBC Africa on building the Lancaster experience in Africa.

During his address, Mr Wahi told the graduates “Be brave and have the courage to persevere, even when you fail. You must remember that failure is a path to success. Lift yourself when you fall, and come back stronger. Conquer the world, serve your communities with honour and dignity, make each day count, and achieve perfection in all that you do. When you achieve success, do not fail to look behind you and give back to those that are less fortunate.” Watch Mr Wahi’s interview on investing in Africa’s Education Sector here

The graduation ceremony also served as a platform to launch the Lancaster Award at our campus. The Lancaster Award recognises and celebrates the important range of extracurricular activities completed by students and the major contribution these activities make to their employability. It is a voluntary commitment and is in addition to their academic studies.

In addition to the Foundation programme, available Undergraduate courses, and the two-year part-time Executive MBA, we are expanding our course offerings with the introduction of an Engineering Foundation Pathway this October, specifically designed for students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, as well as the MSc Management expected to commence in October 2019.