By Murtala Issah
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has graduated more than 900 students in various disciplines at a special congregation held in Tamale, reaffirming its commitment to training professionals to drive development, particularly in underserved communities.
The ceremony brought together graduating students, faculty, family members and dignitaries, as the university marked another milestone in its mission to bridge the development gap between northern Ghana and the rest of the country.
Addressing the congregation, the Vice-Chancellor, Seidu Al-Hassan, urged graduates to view their academic achievements not merely as personal success, but as a call to national service. He encouraged them to return to their communities and provide transformative leadership to help tackle poverty, ignorance and disease.
According to him, the true value of their education lies in how it is applied to improve lives, strengthen local economies and promote sustainable development.
“You must become change-makers in your communities, leading efforts that promote self-sufficiency, enlightenment and social transformation,” he said.
The graduates were awarded bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture, social sciences, health sciences and development studies.
Some graduates who spoke to GBC News described the Vice-Chancellor’s message as both challenging and motivating, noting that it reinforces the responsibility that comes with higher education.
One of the standout graduates, Hubaida Abdulai, who earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics, shared her story of resilience, saying she successfully combined her studies with pregnancy and childbirth.
“It has not been easy, but it has been worth it,” she said, encouraging other women to pursue their academic ambitions despite challenges.
Another graduate, Abdul Rashid Yahya, who also obtained a PhD in Agricultural Economics, expressed appreciation to his lecturers and supervisors for their guidance and mentorship.
The special congregation highlights the growing role of UDS in producing skilled professionals capable of addressing key development challenges in Ghana, particularly in agriculture, food security and rural development.
