Almost one hundred students graduated from Lancaster University Ghana this week in its first virtual degree ceremony.

Lancaster is the first UK university to have its own campus in sub-Saharan Africa in partnership with the Transnational Academic Group.

Ninety seven students were awarded Bachelor Degrees in its fourth undergraduate graduation ceremony held on Monday, presided over by Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield.

This week’s graduating cohort were commended for reaching the milestone against all odds, having completed their final term and exams online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diverse group included students from Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Togo, Sierra Leone, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Lebanon and Switzerland.

Addressing the graduates, Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield, said: “Today we celebrate each of your achievements in proving that you have the resilience as well as the intelligence to rise to a challenge. The degree you have earned from this University is a passport - should you choose to use it - to a lifetime of opportunity. You are our greatest ambassadors and amongst you there are the people who will shape and lead tomorrow’s societies. I am sure you will make us all proud of what you achieve, but I hope you feel that your degree and time with us will have helped you achieve that. Our hope is that, wherever your future takes you, you will continue to represent your alma mater by becoming engaged in your local communities, helping us build our reputation as a world-leading institution and changing the world for the better.”

During the CEO’s Address, Mr Chris Pilgrim, CEO of Transnational Academic Group Ghana told the graduates: “Your nations and the continent are resource rich; you are riding on a wave of unprecedented population growth; innovation and technology are creating disruption and opportunity; and you are smart, determined, and persistent. The time is now for you to bring to bear your new found knowledge, your entrepreneurial spirit, your ingenuity, your persistence, and your fearlessness. Each of you has a rare opportunity to shape Africa’s future, so go out there and do just that.”

At the ceremony, special awards were presented to outstanding students for their academic achievements. The Chancellor’s Medal was awarded to Oluwatofunmi Precious Temowo (BSc Hons Computer Science), for being the most meritorious students in the cohort. In addition, The Founders’ Award, which recognises the students who best embody the values of TAG (Loyalty, Integrity, Attitude, Competence and Commitment), and has demonstrated this throughout their time at the University, was presented to Princess Portia Naa Lamiley Mills. The Lancaster Award, which acknowledges students’ extracurricular activities which enhance employability was also presented to six students.

You can watch the virtual ceremony again, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5boa-7i_rsA

Lancaster University Ghana provides a world class degree in Ghana delivered by exceptional academic staff, with outstanding student support, scholarships, and a family friendly experience. Lancaster University Ghana (LUG) has a distinctive approach to education focusing on helping its graduates develop a creative approach to problem solving, an ethic of service, and the ability to meet the very considerable challenges that lie ahead.

Since its inauguration in 2013, LUG has grown from 67 students, to over 500 students, with now over 400 alumni from the campus in Accra. LUG offers the same high quality Lancaster degree right here in Accra. Students also have the opportunity to participate in many exchange programmes throughout their academic journey. Alumni have gone on to further study in countries such including Mauritius, the UK, the USA and others, or to work in industry sectors including telecommunication, education, banking and finance and oil and gas, with a number of them having started their own businesses after graduation.

LUG offers a Foundation programme, Undergraduate programmes, and the two-year part-time Executive MBA, and is still accepting applications for their October 2020 and January 2021 intakes. For more information about Lancaster University Ghana, visit www.lancaster.edu.gh or call +233 (0) 30 274 7700.