By Rafiq Nungor ADAM
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel K. Derbile, in his welcome address to fresh students during their orientation ceremony at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) in Wa, Upper West Region, urged the newcomers to embrace discipline as a key to success in the university.
“Discipline will be the key to success. How you organise yourself, how you manage time and how you use the university’s resources are going to be crucial to your success in this university.
And you will soon learn that the university system is a semi-autonomous entity with rules and regulations. To be successful, you need to appreciate the rules and structures that govern the university system,” said prof. Derbile.
Prof. Derbile cautioned the new students that the university’s Community Outreach Programme is mandatory for all student. “In order to give feet to the mission of the university, we have established the Directorate of Community Outreach and Business Incubation. If you want to graduate from this university, you must go through this programme successfully. So pay attention when matters related to the third trimester programme are discussed; what we call the practical training programme. If you are not ready to go through it, then please you better leave now”.
He further urged the freshers to take the orientation seriously. “In order to prepare yourself to be successful here and achieve the targets and goals for which you are here, you have to take this orientation programme seriously. This is an opportunity to learn about the university which you have found yourself in, and to ensure that you are equipped with the information and knowledge that you need to navigate through the university system to a successful career.”
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, prof. Issaka Kanton Osumanu, in providing historical context, took the fresh students through the origins of the university, tracing its roots from the University for Development Studies (UDS) to its establishment as an independent institution in 2019.
The Registrar, Job Asante, also addressed the students, taking them through the rules and regulations of the university. He highlighted the importance of adherence to academic and administrative guidelines to ensure a smooth and successful journey.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Derbile, in his concluding address, encouraged students to remain focused, work hard and take full advantage of the university’s resources to excel in their studies.
