POST-GRADUATE BRILLIANCE SHINES BRIGHT: CCST HOLDS FOURTH CONGREGATION
In a celebration of academic excellence and scholarly achievement, the CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST) hosted its fourth congregation ceremony for post-graduate students at the prestigious Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences campus on 15th March, 2024. The event was a culmination of years of rigorous study, research, and dedication, as graduates from various disciplines gathered to mark the completion of their studies.
The atmosphere at the ceremony was one of palpable excitement and pride, as graduates, donned in traditional academic regalia, prepared to walk across the stage to receive their certificates. Family members, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests filled the auditorium, eager to witness this pivotal moment in the lives of these graduates.
The graduating class represented a diverse array of fields, including Plant Breeding/Biotechnology, Food Science/Technology, Aquaculture, Industrial Animal Nutrition/Feed Production, Climate Change/Integrated Natural Resources Management as well as Soil Health/Environmental Resources Management. Each student had pursued specialized studies, delving into advanced research and coursework to expand their expertise and contribute to their respective fields. In all, fifty-one (51) students had M.Phil and Msc. degrees conferred on them. Twelve (12) students from the CSIR-Crops Research Institute graduated with MPhil Plant Breeding/Biotechnology degrees from the Department of Plant Resources Development, Kumasi.
In attendance were a representative of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, the degree awarding university, Prof. Ernest Yankson, a representative of the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), the CCST College President, Prof. Mark Appiah, the Director-General of the CSIR, Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu and his deputy, Prof. Marian Dorcas Quain.
The commencement ceremony commenced with a procession of faculty members and administrators, followed by the graduates, who entered the hall to the triumphant strains of cultural music. As they took their seats, anticipation hung in the air, mingled with a sense of reflection on the journey that had brought them to this momentous occasion.
Delivering his welcome address, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, the Chairman of the College Governing Board, extended a warm welcome to all attendees and congratulated the graduates on their remarkable achievements. He commended them for their dedication, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity, noting that their hard work had not only enriched their own lives but also contributed to the advancement of knowledge and society as a whole.
Dr. Humprey Ayim-Darke, the President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), who delivered the keynote address, also congratulated the graduates on their remarkable achievements and encouraged them to continue pursuing excellence in their future endeavours. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and the responsibility that comes with their advanced education to make a positive impact on society. He entreated them to ensure that their new found knowledge become beneficial to industry.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers delivered inspiring addresses, sharing words of wisdom and encouragement with the graduating class. A particularly moving moment of the ceremony was the valedictory speech. The valedictorian, Elizabeth Norkor Nartey (Mrs.) shared a message of hope, determination, and the importance of believing in oneself. She reminded her fellow graduands that their dreams were valid and achievable, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the graduates rose to their feet, their hearts swelling with emotions as they prepared to receive their certificates. With each name called, cheers and applause erupted from the audience, echoing the collective pride and admiration for these accomplished scholars.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Ernest Yankson, who represented the Vice of UCC, urged the graduates to embrace the future with confidence and determination, knowing that they were well-equipped to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He encouraged them to continue pursuing their passions, making a positive impact on the world through their knowledge, skills, and leadership.
The CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST), a postgraduate school birthed out of the research and development experiences of the CSIR. The CSIR is Ghana’s premier research institution and conducts research in the broad disciplines of agriculture, industry, environment and transfer technologies generated by its research institutes for national socio-economic development. The university is accredited by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and had its inaugural graduation ceremony in July, 2020.
Authors: Bernard Sakyiamah, Dennis Gyasi Boakye, Enoch Bobie Agyemang
