Tamale: The University for Development Studies (UDS) has held its graduation ceremony with a call on graduands to embody the University’s mission to lead with integrity, excellence, and compassion.

According to Ghana News Agency, the event was preceded by the 7th edition of the University’s Africa Leadership Lecture Series under the theme ‘Redefining Leadership for Africa’s Future: Ethics and Transformation’. A total of 2,630 graduands received postgraduate, undergraduate degrees, and diplomas. The postgraduate cohort included 372 graduands with 26 PhD recipients, 306 Master’s degrees, and 40 postgraduate diploma awardees.

At the undergraduate level, 2,258 students graduated, with females making up 53.3% (1,204) and males comprising 46.7% (1,054). Additionally, 721 students received diplomas, consisting of 364 males (50.5%) and 357 females (49.5%). In terms of class honours, nine graduands achieved first class honours, while 774 earned second class upper division, 730 received second class lower division, and 24 attained third class honours.

Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, Vice-Chancellor of UDS, expressed satisfaction at the near gender parity among this year’s graduating class and commended all students for their hard work, dedication, and resilience. He highlighted that the gender representation was a result of deliberate policies and thoughtful leadership focused on access and inclusion.

Professor Al-Hassan also noted achievements such as the graduation of 10 young women from the Domestic Electrical Wiring Training Programme, which was an initiative under the Energy Technology Center of the School of Engineering in collaboration with WEENorth and the ALINEA Foundation. This program aimed to equip women with vital skills for Ghana’s energy sector.

He mentioned efforts to improve the teaching and learning environment, such as the partially completed Nursing and Midwifery Block on the Tamale Campus, which started easing congestion by providing additional lecture halls and office spaces. He announced that the Silver Jubilee Building’s capacity facilitated the establishment of the Faculty of Law, welcoming its pioneer class and marking a new era in legal education in Northern Ghana.

Mr Abdulai Salifu, Chairman of the Governing Council of UDS, praised the graduands for their dedication to excellence and innovation and urged them to be true ambassadors of the University.