The University for Development Studies (UDS) has taken a significant step in its pursuit of inclusive education with the award of financial support to the first cohort of students under the newly established Students Financial Aid Scheme (SFAS). A total of 120 brilliant but financially challenged students were presented with support packages amounting to GHS 206,500, mobilised from both internal and external sources.

The scheme, an initiative of the Office of the Dean of Students, aims to provide equitable access to higher education for students from underprivileged backgrounds. It was instituted to respond to the growing number of appeals from students facing financial hardships, with the goal of promoting academic retention and success among economically disadvantaged but academically promising students.

At a colourful award ceremony held on the Tamale Campus, Professor Elliot Alhassan, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UDS, expressed profound gratitude to the Dean of Students and his team for championing the initiative. “This is not just financial support; it is a statement of our values as a university, a commitment to equity and a future where no student is left behind due to poverty,” he remarked. He urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the aid, emphasizing that their success would justify the investments made. Prof Elliot also revealed that awardees came from 12 out of Ghana's 16 administrative regions, reflecting the scheme's national outlook, the University' s commitment to extending opportunities to all deserving students.

Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, the Registrar, congratulated the recipients and extended appreciation to all donors for their selfless contributions to a noble cause. “Education is the greatest equaliser,” he noted, “and your generosity will echo through the lives of these students and the communities they come from.”

In his address, Professor Alhassan Musah, Dean of Students, contextualised the establishment of the scheme. “We mooted this idea following the numerous appeals we receive daily from students,” he stated. “While we know we cannot meet all the financial needs of our students, we also believe doing nothing is not an option. We began with a proposal to management to establish a University-grown scheme. Management supported us wholeheartedly.”

He continued, “We then began fundraising, reaching out to institutions and individuals. Within two months, we raised GHS 206,500. Our goal is to institutionalise this effort through a fully-fledged financial aid office capable of handling student emergencies and broader support. This is just the beginning, and I am confident the university will continue to support this initiative for years to come.”

Donors to the SFAS include Hollard Life Insurance Company Ltd, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, School for Life, RAINS Ghana, Tamale Campus SRC (2023/2024 Academic Year), and Dr. Mohammed Saani Yakubu, Country Director of ActionAid, DR Congo.

Dr. Umar Haruna, Vice Dean of Students in charge of the Tamale Campus, who spoke on behalf of the award panel, provided insights into the selection process. Out of 232 applications received,167 from the Tamale Campus and 65 from the Nyankpala Campus,120 students were selected based on thorough assessment including GPA verification, interviews, financial records, and third-party confirmations. Notably, 65 (54%) of awardees were female, reflecting UDS’s commitment to gender equity.

Messages of solidarity were delivered by representatives of key partners including Mr. Hardy Tijani of RAINS Ghana, Professor Mamudu Akudugu of UTAG, and Mr. Tahiru Abdulai Alhassan, Alumni Relations Officer, who represented the UDS Alumni Association. In their remarks, they each commended the initiative and pledged their respective institutions’ support for the UDS Students Financial Aid Scheme, underscoring the importance of collective action in addressing student financial challenges and promoting equitable access to higher education.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Iddrisu Nashiru, Managing Director of Hollard Assurance Ghana, commended the transparency of the selection process and urged students to study hard to justify the support they received. “Let us protect this noble effort from the dangers of 'protocol lists' which have corrupted many well-meaning initiatives,” he warned. He pledged Hollard’s continuous support and presented a GHS 20,000 cheque to the scheme. He also distributed gift items to early attendees to encourage punctuality.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership, the 2024/2025 SRC Executives of the Tamale Campus presented a smock, plaque, and citation to the Dean of Students.

Similarly, the Central SRC, on behalf of the SRC President, Mr. Bruce Kambotuu, donated GHS 20,000 to the fund.

Story by:
Abdul-Hayi Moomen
(UDS Media)