The Islamic University College, Ghana (IUCG), a private university in Accra, is to introduce graduate programmes to enable undergraduates to undertake further studies after their first degree. The vice president of the university, Alhaji Seidu Pelpuo, announced this last Saturday, at its eighth congregation, and said “graduates from the university are doing well and there is the need to create opportunities for them to acquire further studies”. In all, 169 students graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Religious Studies. Currently, the university runs Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Religious Studies and Communication Studies. It has also been granted accreditation for a programme in Management Information System, for the 2012/2013 academic year. Alhaji Pelpuo said the university had the facilities to offer more programmes, but noted that the initial expenditure in starting these programmes would be quiet high and appeal to its sponsors for support. He said the university placed emphasis on and inculcated in its students, “critical thinking, and commitment to the culture of hard work, values of to1erance, humility, and respect for other views, good neighbourliness and strict adherence to the laws of the society”. Alhaji Pelpuo said education should not be mere vocationally oriented but should help individuals to develop their human potentials and empower them to contribute to national development. The Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Alhassan Andani, the guest of honour, commended the Islamic Republic of Iran for establishing the university in the country to contribute to the human resource development. He reminded the graduates that they are coming out at a time the political atmosphere is heating up and becoming turbulent, and advised them not to “join in the fray by engaging in irresponsible acts that are likely to aggravate the situation.” The chairman of the university's council, Dr Majid Hakim Elahi, assured that issues of staffing and administrative concerns were receiving attention of the council to ensure smooth teaching, learning and research.