PENTECOST UNIVERSITY HOLDS 15TH CONGREGATION- CHALLENGED GRADUATES TO TRANSFORM THE NATION

Pentecost University has held its 15th graduation ceremony for all students of its faculties and schools. This came off on Saturday 16th December 2023 on the University’s main campus in Sowutuom. In all, one thousand one hundred and fifty-three (1153) students graduated with various degrees at masters, undergraduate, professional and certificate levels. 

Speaking at the congregation, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kouda congratulated the fresh graduates on their new milestones. He challenged them to use their new skills and qualifications acquired at Pentecost University to transform society.

The VC also used the opportunity to highlight notable achievements and the impact of the University in the community in the year 2023. He mentioned two significant grants won, expansion to the Pentecost University, Agape Campus in Sunyani and support offered to the PU campuses in South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire. He also mentioned that the University hosted the 2023 Global STEM and Computing Education Summit and consulted for the Global Forum on Digital Manufacturing held in South Africa and the African Union and the Ministry of Education sponsored Conference on Mathematics, Science and Technology, COMSTADA 2023.

In a commitment to enhancing infrastructure, Pentecost University invested nearly three million (3,000,000) Ghana cedis in 2023. Prof. Agyapong-Kouda shared that a significant portion of this investment, “GH₵‎ 2.61 million, went into the ongoing lecture block project, with the ground and first floors almost ready for use.” Looking ahead to 2024, the Vice-Chancellor outlined the University’s plans to concentrate on infrastructure, collaborate with the municipality to address drainage issues on campus, and maintain a leadership position in spirit-inspired, research-driven education.

On his part, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost who doubles as the Chancellor of Pentecost University, Aps. Eric Nyamekye commended the University for playing a pivotal role in the Vision 2023 and challenged it to do more in the new phase. The COP Chairman described Pentecost University as a unique mission field and reiterated the commitment of the church to its growth and influence in the coming years. 

Speaking further, Aps Nyamekye said The Church of Pentecost Chairman Education Foundation will continue to be a resource pool for disadvantaged individuals to access quality tertiary education at Pentecost University. He also said the Foundation will make strategic investments in improving the physical and digital infrastructure, as well as human resource capacity to make PU more competitive globally. 

In the distinguished guest speaker’s address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum also commended PU for supporting various initiatives particularly geared towards STEM education in Ghana. He described Pentecost University as “emerging to the finest in the world” and challenged the graduates to think global.

On developments in the tertiary education space, the Honourable Minister said the government is keen on increasing the gross tertiary enrolment from the current 20% to 50% by the year 2023. He said this increase shall also translate to higher proportions of enrolment in STEM intensive disciplines. In so doing, Honourable Dr. Adtuwuom pledged the commitment of the government to support Pentecost University and other institutions to expand their capacity to enrol more students in the coming year.

The 2023 congregation was attended by scores of people from academia, the church and industry.