The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Development Studies (UDS), Professor K.S. Nokoe, has appealed to estate developers to consider, as a matter of business prudence and in the interest of students to construct affordable hostels around the three campuses of the university to alleviate the acute shortage of accommodation facing the students. Accommodation for students has been a major challenge facing the university in its three campuses, namely Nyankpala in the Northern Region, Navrongo in the Upper East Region and Wa in the Upper West Region. Professor Nokoe also made a passionate appeal to the Ghana Hostels Limited (GHL) of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to consider making use of lands allocated to it on the Nyankpala and Navrongo campuses to put up hostels. The Vice-Chancellor made the appeal at the 16th matriculation ceremony on Saturday where in all 5,592 fresh students were admitted into the university to pursue various programmes. Professor Nokoe urged the GHL of SSNIT to consider in particular, putting the Wa campus on its list, given the increasing number of students on the campus. He called on business-minded individuals in the three regions to invest in hostels and the provision of other services to create a conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning. Professor Nokoe pledged the university's preparedness to co-operate with investors on mutually agreed terms. Touching on students conduct, he urged those living in various private homes in community compounds to behave as matured university students and to respect the norms and values of the people. "You are in these townships purposely to study and obtain degrees and I entreat you to be very circumspect in the social activities you engage in. "Much as you have freedom as Ghanaians under the Constitution, your lifestyles must not be a source of complaint from the town people." he told the students. The Vice Chancellor urged students to set good examples for students in second cycle institutions to emulate and to inspire them to come to the university. ''This is a heavy responsibility but I am confident that you can live up to expectation," he urged the students. Professor Nokoe also pleaded with residents of the various communities housing students to appreciate the fact that some of the students are new to customs and values of the area and assist them to assimilate effectively into the system. The Upper West Regional Minister, George Hikah Benson, entreated students to reciprocate the good gestures and hospitality of the people by leading exemplary and disciplined live. Mr. Benson said the Regional Coordinating Council in conjunction with the university authorities were working hard to address pertinent issues facing students to enable them concentrate on their studies. Miss Aisha Gomda in an acceptance speech on behalf of the fresh students pledged to abide by rules and regulations of the University to enhance teaching and learning. She spoke of inadequate furniture, lack of transport and lack of a standard library and appealed to the Regional Co-ordinating Council to help address these problems. Miss Gomda called on her colleagues to adopt a high spirit of maintenance culture to give long life to facilities provided them. Source: The Ghanaian Times