The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is set to award over 55 scholarships to support brilliant but financially-challenged students pursuing various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, disclosed at an Alumini cocktail fundraising ceremony, held on Thursday, September 12, 2019, to raise funds for the Vice-Chancellor’s Endowment Fund (VCEF).

The VCEF is an investment fund established to support brilliant and progressive financially-challenged fresh and continuing students through the provision of scholarships tenable for training in any programme at the university.

Speaking at the event, Prof Okoe Amartey, explained that the decision to give back to society was in line with one of the University’s core values- which is ‘service’ through recognizing social needs and applying the strengths and knowledge to address them.

He further added that although twenty (20) students benefited from the VCEF in 2018 and another this year, his outfit was committed to increase the number of beneficiaries to 55 in 2020 to commemorate the institution’s 55th anniversary.

“Next year, the University (IPS/UPSA) will be 55 years and the founder, Nana Opoku Ampomah, has graciously given us his blessings to celebrate it in a grand style. To mark this occasion, I have charged the planning committee to give a minimum of 55 scholarships to represent our 55 years of existence,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that about 1,350 students who qualify for admission into UPSA every year are unable to do so due to dire financial needs.

An additional average of 300 students also defer their studies for same reason whilst about 1,450 applications are received annually by his outfit for various forms of financial assistance.

Prof Amartey, therefore, called on the alumni of the university and other philanthropists to make financial donation towards the fund in order to improve access to university education for the marginalised.

“I am by this extending an invitation to all alumni of this noble university and well-wishers to contribute towards this laudable initiative and make the 55th anniversary and homecoming celebration a memorable,” he appealed.

The Alumni cocktail and fundraising event was organized by the Alumni Association of UPSA with support from the VCEF Board of Trustees. Meanwhile, some notable personalities were also awarded for their contributions towards the fund over the years.