The University of Ghana (UG), Legon, is to organize a two-day international conference, to discuss how the University could be adequately funded to enable it to offer world-class teaching and learning services to students. Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the UG, who disclosed this on Saturday at a graduation ceremony where 2,346 students were given various degrees, certificates and diplomas, said representatives from African Development Bank, World Bank and 16 local banks were expected to participate in the meeting. He said the event would be used to raise funds to support the University and to encourage past students to play active part in the development of the educational institution. Prof. Aryeetey expressed worry that the University had lately attracted media attention for the wrong reason and cited the recent students’ demonstration against increase in university fees. He, however, said: “The University, while acknowledging the need for students to make contributions towards their education, is also mindful of the fact that the cost of higher education has gone up and that there is an increased financial burden on students and their parents and guardians.” The Vice Chamcellor debunked the perception among some students that the University was cruel and unnecessarily harsh on students and stressed that “management of the University has the welfare of students at heart, and is ever ready to work with them to build a better University of Ghana.” Prof. Aryeetey said “from hence the University authorities would hold graduation ceremony in July each year for students from College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, faculties of Engineering Sciences, Law and Science, Business School and postgraduate students from all the faculties.” He said starting from the 2012/2013 academic year, the four year LLB programme offered by the Faculty of Law would be reintroduced to reduce the number of years required to qualify for a call to the Bar, which according to him had served as a disincentive particularly to female students. “…It is also to open up the programme to more young people desirous of pursuing careers in law.” Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, former Corporate Services Executive of MTN, a telecommunications service provider, told the graduands to be responsible to the African continent, their country, community, family and to themselves and said that would enable them to succeed in life. She advised them to build strong network and said “lots of us have lost opportunities for success because we have failed to make and sustain friendships with people on our critical path as we travel life’s journey.” Mrs Trebarh charged them to be humble, God-fearing and be bold in taking important decisions in life especially “in the world of the unknown.” “I have had the privilege of constantly having to challenge myself to step into the unknown and I must say that my university education was a real launch pad for the opportunities that have set me on the personal and professional path,” she said.