The Chairman of the Governing Council of Sunyani Technical University (STU), Prof. Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye has challenged the 2025 graduating class to move beyond conventional job-seeking and channel their technical expertise into entrepreneurship, innovation, and solutions-driven enterprises that can accelerate Ghana’s development.
He made this call at the 18th Congregation Ceremony of the University, held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Nsiah-Gyabaa Auditorium in Sunyani. The ceremony brought together university management, government officials, traditional authorities, parents, and industry partners to celebrate the academic accomplishments of the graduands.
Education Beyond Certificates
Addressing the congregation, Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye explained that the theme for the ceremony, “Sustainable Skills Development for Global Job Creation and Employability,” captures a major transformation occurring in higher education worldwide. According to him, the global economy is steadily shifting away from an overreliance on academic credentials toward practical competencies, adaptability, and innovation, particularly in an era shaped by digital technologies and global connectivity.
He revealed that STU’s newly approved Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 is firmly grounded in the Education 5.0 framework. This model, he noted, prioritizes innovation, industrialization, and the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to teaching, research, and skills training.
Unlike traditional education models that focus primarily on teaching, research, and community service, Education 5.0 expands the university’s mandate to include innovation and industrial production.
Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye emphasized that the objective is to deliberately nurture graduates who are not only technically competent but also capable of becoming future entrepreneurs, industrial leaders, and technology innovators.
He explained that this approach aligns with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which requires human-centered, technology-driven, and socially responsive skills to solve complex global and local challenges.
Turning Skills into Businesses
The Council Chairman urged the graduands not to allow the skills they had acquired to remain dormant. Instead, he encouraged them to convert their knowledge into viable enterprises that can respond to real needs within their communities.
“You do not need vast capital to begin your entrepreneurial journey,” he told the graduates, referencing globally successful companies such as Microsoft and Airbnb, which started in modest environments before growing into multinational giants.
He advised the graduands to focus on pressing national and local needs, including renewable energy solutions, digital tools for small and medium-sized enterprises, affordable agricultural innovations, and community-based technologies.
By identifying gaps within these sectors, he said, graduates could create sustainable businesses that generate employment and social impact.
Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye also highlighted the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and institutional support. He assured the graduates that STU’s Business Incubation Centre, alumni associations, and industry partners stand ready to guide and support their entrepreneurial ambitions.
“No great enterprise is built in isolation,” he stressed, urging graduates to actively seek partnerships and professional guidance as they navigate the world of work.
Appeals Board Inaugurated
In a major governance update, the Council Chairman announced the inauguration of a five-member STU Appeals Board on December 10, 2025. He explained that the Board has been mandated to handle staff promotion appeals, employment-related disputes, and student grievances.
According to him, the establishment of the Appeals Board is intended to strengthen internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the University. All concerns raised by staff or students, he noted, must now be addressed through the Board before any matter is taken to external legal institutions.
Concerns Over Land Encroachment and Staffing
Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye also expressed grave concern over the increasing encroachment on STU’s lands. He disclosed that out of the University’s total land size of 163 acres, approximately 35 acres have been unlawfully occupied by encroachers.
He warned that the University would soon take decisive steps to reclaim its lands, describing the encroachers as “mere squatters” with no legal claim to the property.
Additionally, he appealed to the government to grant urgent financial clearance for the recruitment of additional lecturers. He explained that STU is facing a growing challenge due to high staff attrition and the expansion of academic programmed, leading to student-to-lecturer ratios that exceed the standards set by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
A Charge to the Graduating Class
In an inspiring message to the graduands, Prof. Awuah-Nyamekye urged them to see themselves as innovators and problem-solvers rather than passive job seekers.
“Ghana does not lack opportunities; what we lack are bold, daring young innovators who are willing to take risks and seize those opportunities,” he declared.
He encouraged the graduates to dream ambitiously, begin with small but impactful steps, and design solutions that not only improve their own lives but also create jobs for others.
“The future belongs to those who can turn ideas into measurable impact,” he said, reminding the graduates that they are uniquely positioned to transform local challenges into globally relevant solutions.
He concluded by reaffirming the Governing Council’s pride in the achievements of the graduating class and encouraged them to step confidently into society with a spirit of creativity and service.
“Let your journey be defined not by what you expect the world to give you, but by what you choose to create for the world,” he charged.
Vice-Chancellor Reaffirms Commitment to Skills Development
For his part, the Vice-Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to sustainable skills development as a key driver of national growth. He called for stronger collaboration among government, industry players, and local communities to adequately prepare Ghanaian youth for the rapidly evolving global labor market.
The Vice-Chancellor announced significant infrastructural milestones, including the approval of GHC 72 million by GETFund for Phase II of the University’s Science Park Project, alongside additional funding for modern teaching and learning equipment.
Institutional Achievements Highlighted
He also celebrated several recent achievements by the University, including STU’s recognition as the Best SDG Teaching and Learning Institution in Africa for 2025. The Department of General Agriculture was also commended for receiving an award at the 41st National Farmers’ Day.
In addition, STU secured four fully funded Russian scholarships for advanced engineering studies and recorded success for its female engineering students, who emerged winners of the national Women in Engineering (WINE) Debate Challenge.
Government’s Support for Education
Representing the government, the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, emphasized that quality education thrives on strong foundations, including motivated professional teachers, adequate infrastructure, and a conducive teaching and learning environment.
He stated that these principles underpin the government’s continued investment in education through progressive policies and strategic programmed.
“This is why the government, under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, remains committed to supporting the education sector to play its rightful role in advancing Ghana’s national development agenda,” he said.
The 18th Congregation Ceremony of STU thus concluded on a note of optimism, innovation, and renewed commitment to using education as a powerful tool for national and global transformation. Do you like this personality?