By Bakah Derick in Bamenda
The Bamenda
Campus of the Catholic University of Cameroon CATUC Bamenda Saturday 5th
December, 2015 was host to thousands who showed up for the Third Convocation
ceremony of the six years old institution.
The Convocation Holy Mass
Respecting Roman
Catholic Church tradition, the memorable day started with a Holy Mass in the St.
Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Big Mankon with His Grace Cornelius Fontem Essua Archbishop
of Bamenda who doubles as Chancellor of CATUC as main celebrant. The Holy Mass in Catholic
fashion “is an act of thanks giving and in this case where students and staff have
gone through a challenging journey to complete academic studies; praise and
thanksgiving to God for accompanying them” is mandatory, the Chancellor said.
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| Graduating Undergraduate Students |
In a homily titled
“the harvest is rich but the labourers are few.” The Archbishop raised issues
around unemployment and corruption in Cameroon. Noting that the new graduands
will be moving into a world full of young and and jobless graduates, His Grace Cornelius
Fontem observed that with the growing level of bribery and corruption in Cameroon
which is a major cause of unemployment; the graduands could be tempted to join
the trend which has become a norm in Cameroon. Likening today’s society to that
which Jesus sent his Apostles into, the Archbishop exalted the graduands to put
to practice the ethical values learned at CATUC, build a new Cameroon by swimming
against the current, an individually endeavor to be the one person that can restore hope in our
society.
In a strictly
Anglo-Saxon academic style, part two of the convocation was solemn with
processions and speeches typical of such events.
Enter the Vice Chancellor's Address
“Today’s ceremony
should propel you into a new world whether you choose to continue your studies
here in CATUC or elsewhere or whether you chose to go into the world of work. We
bid you farewell on this motherly advice. Foster the interpersonal links and
connections which your years in CATUC forged. Be enthusiastic CATUC alumni.
Remember the lessons of self-respect and self-dignity; of respect for others;
of social justice; of reaching out to the less privileged; of working for the
common good, which were the core values that the courses on the human person
and the social teachings of the Church sought to implant in you. Beyond the
walls of this home, make your life and work a continuation of CATUC values.” Fr
Michael Suh Niba Vice Chancellor of CATUC said in his welcome address.
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| Graduating Post Graduate Students |
The Chancellor and Archbishop Speaks
On his part,
The Chancellor His Grace Cornelius Fontem Essua challenged the graduands to
“make a difference in promoting respect for nature, characterized today by such
rapid development in science and technology which are paradoxically damaging to
nature herself. You are challenged to build up a just and equitable social
order and to be in the service of the common good in the society where because
of a few covetous and grasping individuals, so many unjustly wallow in misery
and wretchedness.” While observing that “the tasks of a Catholic University
assume an ever greater importance and urgency” in the search for meaning he
cited Cf. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, no. 7 he explained that in fulfilling such tasks,
products of a Catholic University, CATUC not being an exception, have to be
formed in such a way that their physical, moral and intellectual talents may
develop in a harmonious manner so that they may attain a greater sense of
responsibility and right use of freedom, and be formed to take an active part
in social life, at the service of the common good.” Products of CATUC and of
Catholic University he concluded “are called to challenge the current state of
affairs by working hard to build a more just and equitable social order and
this, by being at the service of the common good which has at its foundation
the unity, dignity, and equality of all peoples.”
Prof Vincent P.K Titanji Guest Speaker
In an academic discuss titled “education for responsible citizenship-the forgotten component of University syllabus reforms in Cameroon”, Professor Vincent PK Titanji current Vice Chancellor of the Cameroon Christian University and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, examined basics concepts around the theme and the 1993 and 2005 university reforms in Cameroon and concluded “The graduates of today may consider themselves freshmen and women in the world of work. The technical and professional skills which they have acquired in the University may or may not be useful immediately, but the lessons of good citizenship are enduring and will apply whether or not they are gainfully employed. You have all acquired the necessary skills for self-education. I recommend that you apply what you have learnt, not only to foster your progress in your respective professions, but above all, to make yourselves better citizens, conscious not only of your own rights, but also those of your fellow citizens. This, as believers would say, is the path to holiness and sainthood, even in a globalized and increasingly secular world.”
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| Some lecturers at the Convocation |
As per the theme of the convocation "Towards being saints and scholars" the hope CATUC authorities is that the Third Convocation produces Cameroonians with both Saintly and Scholarly attributes.
Reactions
Junko Oliver Ndi
Masters in Philosophy
I feel really great today to be the part of the pioneer batch of those graduating with a Masters in Philosophy from CATUC. It was not easy because I was working as a teacher at Sacret Heart College and to close as a teacher and later be in class is not easy. i was very tiring but i think it was worth it.
Ashu Mcmoi Ndi
Masters in Banking, Tax Administration and Financial Services
It has been a wonderful experience though not easy. I am a municipal treasurer and I saw the need to up grade myself so as to be able to meet the challenges of my job. I think at the completion of my Masters I am well equipped for the future.