Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Academic City University, Dr Lucy Agyepong, has underscored the need for students to develop critical thinking skills and continuously adapt to an evolving world.

According to her, students can achieve their future goals only by becoming critical thinkers as technology continues to transform the world at a rapid pace.

She made the remarks during the 17th Celebration of Academic Excellence at Vilac International School over the weekend. The event was held under the theme, "Striving for Excellence: Celebrating the Journey."

"The world you are preparing to enter is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is transforming industries. Technology is reshaping careers. Innovation is creating opportunities that did not exist a decade ago. In such a world, excellence will not belong only to the most intelligent people. It will belong to those who continue learning," she advised.

Dr Agyepong commended the management and staff of Vilac International School for their role in shaping future leaders, innovators, and nation-builders.

"As we celebrate achievement today, let us also celebrate growth, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward," she added.

For her part, the Principal of Vilac International School, Eunice Adjei-Wiredu, noted that excellence is often associated with outstanding results, awards, and accomplishments. While these achievements are important, she said true excellence goes beyond the final outcome.

"Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey of improvement and self-discovery. This philosophy has guided every aspect of our work throughout the academic year. As a school community, we have witnessed remarkable growth, not only in academic achievement but also in character, leadership, creativity, and service," she stated.

She highlighted the school's impressive academic performance, revealing that 42 candidates sat for the Cambridge examinations this year.

"This year's outstanding performance reflects the unwavering commitment of our students, the dedication of our highly qualified teaching staff, the continuous support of our parents, and the collective pursuit of academic excellence that defines Vilac International School," she said.

She added that the success of the school's Cambridge candidates had translated into admissions to leading tertiary institutions, including Ashesi University, Wisconsin University, and the University of Portsmouth.

"As an institution, we also provide a rich and diverse range of co-curricular activities designed to nurture students' talents, develop leadership skills, and promote their physical, emotional, and social well-being," Adjei-Wiredu stated.

She further noted that Vilac International School continues to receive both national and international recognition for its consistent academic excellence and holistic approach to education.

According to her, the University of West Virginia (USA) selected the school as a case study for sustained academic excellence and holistic education during the year under review.

She also announced a strategic partnership with Lancaster University, aimed at enriching the academic experience of the school's secondary students through various collaborative initiatives.

"Our business students represented the school in the Business Cup Challenge, competing against other international schools across Ghana. Although we did not emerge as the overall winners, our students performed exceptionally well, earned widespread admiration, and gained invaluable experience that will undoubtedly strengthen future performances.

"Our IGCSE students also participated in the British Council Your World Competition, presenting an innovative project on reducing environmental waste and promoting environmental conservation. Their participation demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability," she said.

She encouraged students to remember that every achievement begins with a single step, adding that the journey toward excellence requires commitment, integrity, and a positive attitude.