The Accra Technical University has matriculated 8,428 students for the 2026/2027 academic year, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, urging them to look beyond academic certificates and acquire practical skills, innovation capabilities, and strong ethical values. This advice was given during the matriculation ceremony in Accra, where students were encouraged to approach their university education with a clear sense of purpose, ambition, and a commitment to building something greater than themselves.
Professor Acakpovi emphasized that academic certificates are important but do not necessarily demonstrate an individual's creativity, professional judgment, practical competence, or ability to solve real-world problems. He used the story of three bricklayers who viewed the same construction task differently to illustrate the importance of purpose and challenged the students to see their university education as an opportunity to develop their abilities and contribute to society.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for practical learning, saying university graduates must be able to translate the knowledge acquired in lecture halls into tangible solutions to industry and societal problems. He said the university is committed to providing education that is sustainability-driven, industry-oriented, and innovation-based, in line with its vision of becoming a preferred institution in Africa.
Professor Acakpovi urged the students not to wait until their final year before developing innovative ideas but to begin observing their surroundings, identifying problems, and working with colleagues and lecturers to test possible solutions. He drew inspiration from the experiences of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the practical incandescent electric light bulb, and encouraged the students to cultivate patience, discipline, and determination.
The Vice-Chancellor also touched on discipline and academic integrity, saying university education is as much about character formation as it is about intellectual development. He identified honesty, discipline, responsibility, and respect for others as essential values that should guide students throughout their academic and professional lives.
Professor Acakpovi warned that technical competence without integrity could have serious consequences and urged the students to use emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), responsibly. He cautioned that students who relied excessively on AI to complete assignments without developing their own knowledge and competencies risked graduating with certificates but lacking the practical abilities required in the workplace.
The students took the matriculation oath administered by the Registrar of the University to officially welcome them into the academic community. The matriculation ceremony marked the beginning of their academic journey at the Accra Technical University, and the Vice-Chancellor's advice is expected to guide them as they pursue their studies and future careers.
Key points
- The Accra Technical University has matriculated 8,428 students for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- The Vice-Chancellor urged students to focus on developing practical skills and strong ethical values.
- The university is committed to providing education that is sustainability-driven, industry-oriented, and innovation-based.
