Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Professor Joshua Alabi, Acting Rector of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) said the Institute would introduce Masters in Business Administration programmes from next year if all requirements were met. He said the Master's programme would be in the areas of Auditing, Financial Accounting, Marketing and Corporate Governance to help expand access to higher education. "We will not only expand access to higher education but also continue to produce quality manpower required for the country's development," he added.

Prof. Alabi was speaking at a graduation reception at the weekend for 371 graduands who undertook various degree programmes in business related courses. The graduands were the first batch the Institute admitted in 2005 as affiliates of the University of Ghana. Prof. Alabi reminded the graduates that their ability to turn challenges into opportunities would determine their success in their various fields of endeavour.

He said they were going into a world "filled with numerous challenges and opportunities" and should therefore adhere to a high sense of desirable work ethics. "You should have open minds while you learn from others and eschew laziness, arrogance and indiscipline," he said. Prof. Alabi said; "You have been trained to appreciate societal problems and help find solutions to them in order to advance the social and economic goals of the nation. Put your knowledge and all you have been exposed to at the disposal of society". He urged them to be creative and objective in all their dealings since the world was transforming. Prof. Alabi also advised the students to make reading a habit since it was the only tool to broaden ones knowledge. He said as part of efforts to marry academic work with sporting activities, the Institute would put up a sports complex consisting tennis, squash, basketball and volley ball courts and a club house.