UPSA graduates urged to embrace positive attitudes

Dr Divine Selase Agbeti, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has urged graduates of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to cultivate positive attitudes and commit to continuous learning to succeed in their professional careers.

He said academic qualifications alone were insufficient to guarantee success in the world of work, stressing that determination, dedication, integrity and a willingness to learn were equally important.

Dr Agbeti advised on Monday at the University’s 18th graduation ceremony for students of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies in Accra.

He said the certificates awarded to the graduates represented opportunities for growth and achievement, urging them to approach the next phase of their lives with confidence, discipline and a positive mindset.

“Your attitude will shape your career far more than the grades you have earned or the accolades you have received,” he said.

Dr Agbeti encouraged graduates who might not have obtained excellent academic results not to lose hope, noting that a third-class degree from one institution could be equivalent to a first-class degree elsewhere.

He said graduates could rise to leadership positions regardless of their academic classifications if they demonstrated the right attitude, determination and commitment to excellence.

Dr Agbeti expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of dishonesty, laziness and mediocrity in society, noting that many people were becoming more interested in making quick money than in hard work, integrity and quality service delivery.

He urged the graduates to help change that mindset by embracing honesty, diligence and professionalism in their chosen careers.

Acknowledging the challenges graduates might face in securing employment, he said the right attitude could help them distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive job market.

He added that retaining employment and advancing professionally would depend on their commitment to quality service delivery, dedication and personal development.

Dr Agbeti urged the graduates not to stop learning after obtaining their degrees, particularly in an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence.

He said continuous learning and innovation were essential for remaining relevant in the evolving world of work.

He encouraged the graduates to be patient, seek mentorship and, where appropriate, accept opportunities that would allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Dr Agbeti said challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to success, adding that individuals’ responses to adversity helped shape their character and determine their progress.

He urged the graduates to approach their post-graduation journey with positive, growth-oriented and grateful mindsets while remaining kind, passionate and committed to their goals.

Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, announced that the University would begin assembling laptops in commercial quantities by December 2026 as part of efforts to improve students’ access to technology and equip them with practical digital skills.

The initiative, which would involve students assembling the laptops themselves, is intended to support the University’s ambition of ensuring that every student owns a laptop upon registration to facilitate teaching and learning.

The project follows the launch of a laptop assembly initiative in October, with the University seeking to expand its operations to meet growing demand.

Prof. Mawutor said UPSA was also strengthening its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship by encouraging students to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges.

He said the University had, during the period under review, brought together 57 student innovators from different academic levels to work in teams on projects addressing challenges in financial technology, healthcare, education, taxation, disaster response and energy.

Ms Nancy Atsu Edem, the overall best graduating student at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies, commended the University for providing her with the opportunity to excel and pledged to embrace the future with confidence.

Ms Edem, who graduated with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.93, attributed her success to resilience and determination.