Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has challenged graduates of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) to pursue innovation rooted in purpose, integrity, and collaboration, stressing that technical skills alone are not enough to drive national development.

Addressing the 10th Congregation Ceremony of UENR in Sunyani on Saturday, December 13, the Vice President said meaningful progress in science and technology requires discipline, perseverance, and the willingness to experiment and fail.

She emphasised that innovation must be shaped by Ghana’s realities, calling for solutions that are affordable, accessible, sustainable, and capable of addressing everyday challenges facing citizens.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also underscored the importance of collaboration, noting that impactful innovation thrives when academia, industry, institutions, and communities work together rather than in isolation.

Looking beyond the graduating cohort, the Vice President urged political leaders, private investors and industry actors to strengthen collaboration with universities, stressing that national development cannot be driven by government policy alone, but requires resilient institutions, purposeful partnerships and sustained investment.

She acknowledged the vision of UENR’s founding leadership, commended the University Council, management, faculty and traditional authorities for their collective stewardship, and lauded lecturers and researchers for driving knowledge creation and innovation. She also expressed appreciation to parents and guardians for their unwavering support in educating their wards.

In her closing address to the graduating class, Prof Opoku-Agyemang urged them to allow integrity to anchor their professional lives, to remain disciplined and intellectually curious, and to pursue excellence with purpose. She reminded the graduates that Ghana’s future rests on their ideas, vitality and collective capacity to work in service of the common good.

The ceremony was attended by the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area and Chairman of the University Council, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, alongside members of the Governing Council, university management, faculty, parents, guardians and students.