By
Eunice Hilda Ampomah, GNA
Accra, Nov. 8, GNA –
The University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) has appealed to pro-poor
philanthropic individuals and organisations to support its GH¢100 million cedi
Student Endowment Fund, which aids its brilliant but needy students to complete
their undergraduate courses.
Following the high
number of students truncating their education because of financial constraints
and the high number of applicants for scholarships, the Vice Chancellors
Endowment Fund was established two years ago to address such social needs.
Dr Albert Martins,
the Acting Director, Business Development, UPSA, who made the appeal when he
visited the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said for his project as the Chartered
Institute of Marketing, Ghana, Marketing Man of the year 2018, Professor
Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, the Vice Chancellor, would mobilise resources for
the Fund.
Dr Martins made the
appeal on Thursday when he accompanied Prof Okoe Amartey and other members of
the University Governing Council, to pay a working visit to the GNA’s headquarters,
to share his vision for the project and discuss how the two organisations could
leverage their bilateral relations in the national interest.
Dr Martins said the
commitment to support the needy to achieve their dreams of having careers to be
able to contribute meaningfully to society was driven by the UPSA’s core values
of Integrity, Respect and Service.
Every year, an
average of 1,350 applicants who qualify for admission to enter the UPSA are
unable to do so because of financial challenges.
Additionally, an
average of 300 students defer their courses, while a significant number drop
out before their final year for the same reasons.
Dr Martins stated:
“We sponsored 20 students last year, 31 students this year and we are hoping to
sponsor at least 55 students next year”.
“We would forever
appreciate any one or organisation that would support in the securing of the
welfare of these needy but brilliant students, and their contribution towards
the development of the nation will always be recognised,” he said.
Lack of access to
tertiary education, he noted, was a major cause of national underdevelopment
and must, therefore, be addressed.
Mr Albert Kofi
Owusu, the General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, said it was a worthy
cause, therefore, the Agency would use its platform to publicise the appeal and
good works of the University to attract the needed support.
From an initial
enrolment of five students in 1967, the private professional institute has
undergone different phases to become a fully fledged university with more than
15,000 students.
Earlier on, the two
sides committed to joining their strengths to develop products and share
expertise to improve their impact on society.
Other members of the
Governing Council that visited the Agency were Dr Koryoe Anim-Wright, Acting
Dean of the Centre for International Education and Collaboration, UPSA, Dr
Andrew Akolaa, Head of the Department of Marketing, UPSA and Mr Kwabena
Akuamoah Agyekum, the Executive Director of the Chartered Institute of
Marketing, Ghana.
GNA
