The Chancellor of the Presbyterian University, Ghana (PUG), and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Opare Kwakye, has called on the University to uphold academic excellence while providing compassionate support to students facing academic challenges.
Addressing the 20th Congregation Ceremony of the university, on the theme, “Current Developments in Higher Education: Reflections and Lessons for PUG,” Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye said universities must continually learn from developments within the broader higher education landscape and adapt their policies accordingly.
With lessons from ongoing public discussions surrounding academic progression policies in tertiary institutions, particularly the recent debate over minimum CGPA requirements, the Chancellor urged PUG to strengthen its academic support systems while maintaining the credibility of its degrees.
He stressed that academic standards and compassion should not be viewed as competing values, but complementary principles that reflect the University’s Christian identity. “We must protect the credibility of our degrees without losing sight of our Christian responsibility to demonstrate compassion and give deserving students a fair opportunity to succeed,” he stated.
The Chancellor further emphasised the need for early intervention mechanisms to identify and support students experiencing academic difficulties through mentoring, academic advising, tutorials and remedial programmes before their situations worsen.
He also highlighted the importance of student wellbeing, noting that poor academic performance is often influenced by financial, health, family and emotional challenges. According to him, counselling services, chaplaincy support and other student welfare structures must remain accessible, responsive and adequately resourced.
He further urged the University to ensure that academic regulations are clearly communicated and fairly enforced, so that students and their families understand progression requirements, probation procedures and the implications of poor academic performance.
In keeping with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s belief in restoration, he also advocated pathways that offer struggling students opportunities to recover academically where regulations permit. “Our aspiration must be to build a University that is uncompromising in academic standards, yet compassionate in its treatment of students,” he said.
By Jerome Otchere
