The Vice-Chancellor of the Presbyterian University, Ghana (PUG), Prof. John Ofosu-Anim, has advised newly admitted students to focus on building healthy academic relationships. Speaking at the matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year, he warned that wrong relationships and networks can lead to academic failure. The ceremony, held in three phases from October 9th to 24th, 2026, at the university's Akuapem and Asante Akyem Agogo campuses, saw 720 postgraduate students enrolled in various faculties.
Prof. Ofosu-Anim emphasized that the university environment exposes students to freedom and diverse choices, and the kind of friends and networks they build will largely determine their success or failure. He stressed that PUG will not compromise on discipline and urged students to uphold hard work, integrity, and faith in God, in line with the values of a Presbyterian university. The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university's commitment to producing graduates who are academically excellent, morally upright, and ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.
A total of 720 postgraduate students were matriculated into various faculties, including MPhil and M.Ed in Educational Studies, MA Guidance and Counselling, MA International Development, MSc Environmental Health and Sanitation, MSc Natural Resources Management, MSc ICT Management, MPhil Nursing, MSc Nursing, and Master of Public Health. Notably, 385 students were admitted to the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme, a milestone since the programme was introduced.
The MPH programme was introduced to build human capacity in public health following the global shortage of professionals exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Ofosu-Anim urged students to use their large numbers as an opportunity for collaboration, peer support, and knowledge sharing, rather than isolation. He noted that academic networking is key to success at the postgraduate level.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nana Osei Akomeah Prince, disclosed that the Master of Public Health programme has trained about 600 students in the last five years. Tracer studies conducted on graduates show that most are currently serving in key areas of the health sector, including the Ministry of Health, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), health directorates, and consultancy services.
The MPH programme places a strong emphasis on practical training, equipping students with both theoretical and practical competencies that are immediately applicable at their workplaces. The location of the Asante Akyem Agogo Campus, which offers the MPH programme, in a semi-rural area provides a unique advantage for students to engage directly with communities, diagnose community health problems, and design interventions to address them.
The continuous growth in enrolment for the MPH programme reflects the quality and relevance of the training being offered by the university. The university's motto, "Discipline in Leadership," must reflect in the conduct of all students as the institution trains future leaders for the public health sector and other fields. With this, the university aims to contribute to national development by producing well-rounded graduates.
Key points
- PUG VC warns freshers on the dangers of harmful peer associations.
- 720 postgraduate students matriculated for the 2025/2026 academic year.
- The MPH programme has trained about 600 students in the last five years.
