The Pentecost University College (PUC) on Saturday matriculated 505 students into the University to begin the 2007/2008 academic year with a call on them to comport themselves and study hard to justify the investment being made in their education. Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, President Special Initiative and Private Sector Development said the theme: “Fostering Resilient Human Capital Development” was most appropriate in the country’s quest to reposition its educational sector to respond to economic challenges. She said education was key to enable the country to attain its vision of becoming a leading agro-industrial economy in Africa and join the league of middle income countries by increasing the per capita income from the current level of 600 to 1000 dollars by the year 2015. The Deputy Minister said human capital development had therefore become an important component for technological progress, accelerated economic growth, poverty reduction and industrialization. Ghana’s educational system, she noted, must therefore produce a human capital formation relevant to creating a knowledge conscious and enlightened society that appreciates change and the need for modernization. Ms Botchway, who is also the Member of Parliament for Weija Constituency said tertiary education should therefore have an intellectual base that would produce graduates with analytical minds to enable them to adapt knowledge and generate new ideas to support the needs of industries. She said the new Educational Reform Programme was therefore commendable since it had initiated projects to address key challenges confronting the educational sector in a holistic manner. The Deputy Minister further commended the Church of Pentecost for its support in ensuring efficient human capital, adding that it was a great achievement to see the university, which began with an initial 171 students grown tremendously within four years to have over 1300 students. “The Church of Pentecost is synonymous with discipline, tolerance, honesty, humility, hard work and pursuit of excellence. Therefore in order to live up to its good name, I would urge the University not to compromise these virtues but inculcate them in its students”, she added. Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah, Rector, PUC, said the Church has the vision to empower students to serve with integrity and God-fearing through the provision of quality education and training. Apostle Onyinah advised the students to shun peer influence and commit themselves to studying in order to live the school transformed persons. “I urge you to be committed to faith in Christ and maintain a personal devotion with Him as this will sustain you in your navigation through the corridors of life challenges”, he added. Source: GNA