Valley View University (VVU), the Premier Private University in Ghana was established in 1979 by the West African Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist as a missionary college.

In 1989 it was relocated at Oyibi, Mile 19, Accra-Dodowa, Ghana (West Africa).

Since its inception, the University has been operating under the supervision of the National Accreditation Board of Ghana, and the Seventh-day Adventist International Board of Education, through its Adventist Accrediting Association (located at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA).

In January 2006, upon the recommendation of the National Accreditation Board, the University was granted charter by the president of the Republic of Ghana. It thus became the first chartered private university in the country.

Currently, the University has two extension campuses (Techiman Campus and Kumasi Campus) and two centres (Tamale Centre and Takoradi Centre).

The University has conducted 32 graduations so far. Apparently, graduations are conducted twice in a year (July and December). Graduations at Valley View University has over the years followed a specific trend (Programs over a weekend) without much difficulties. However, due to growth and some changes in policies and procedures, it has become necessary to put in place a written document that will serve as a guide and to also maintain uniformity across campuses.

Aside the Academic Bulletin, the 2024/2025 Graduation Policies and Procedures is aimed at providing the vital information and checklist necessary to improve the graduation experience at Valley View University.

This document shall be revised as and when necessary and to be approved by the Academic Board for implementation.

 

1. General Information

Valley View University has established two main periods for graduation, usually, July and December of each academic year. July graduation is the main graduation. Aside the main campus (Oyibi), it grants the opportunity for matching ceremony and degree conferral for students at the respective extension campuses (Techiman and Kumasi). The ceremony is scheduled over a weekend where programs are outlined from Thursday evening to Sunday noon. The University Administration usually sets up a steering committee with the mandate of planning the program.

December graduation is the second session of the main graduation which occurs at the end of the first semester of the academic year. Usually, it is a one-day program. The Registry with the Class Sponsor and Class Executives are responsible for the planning of the entire event.

It is the responsibility of each student to meet the requirements for graduation. A student is eligible to graduate in any of the graduations when the following criteria are met:

1. Satisfy all academic requirements as set forth in the approved academic bulletin for the program admitted to. If a student has been granted exemptions by the Academic Board, he\she must satisfy the remaining requirements in the academic bulletin set forth for that program for which the exemptions were given. Note, academic bulletin that is 8 years or more does not apply to any student yet to graduate.
2. Satisfy character and behavioral requirements. A student who is rusticated or under any sanction is not eligible to graduate.
3. Satisfy the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) requirement of 2.00.
4. Satisfy all applicable financial requirements.
5. Satisfy all other requirements communicated and or implied.

A student who satisfies all the above is eligible to be listed for approval by the Academic Board.

Degree Classification: All undergraduate degrees are classified into four segments on a 4-point scale CGPA.

3. First Class –   60 – 4.00
4. Second Class Upper Division –   25 – 3.59
5. Second Class Lower Division –   50 – 3.24
6. Third Class –   00 – 2.49

 

1. Minor Requirements

A student who has the approval to pursue a minor program must meet the minor requirements in order to be awarded a minor. Note, unless the minor and the major requirements make up the program requirements, students are not denied graduation based on minor requirements but they forfeit the minor when the requirements are not met at the time of graduation.

 

1. Dual Major

Currently, there is no provision for dual major transcript. For a student to graduate with dual major, he\she must acquire a new student identification number for the second major. In this case, the student gets two separate certificates and transcripts for both degrees. Upon the approval of the Academic Board, the second major shall be credited all the courses that have been fulfilled in the first major that are also requirements in the second major.

 

 

1. Grade Substitution

It has been established to replace failed grades with better grades earned, Recorder No. 34. August 2016, Vol. 1No. 5.

 

 

1. Vice Chancellor’s List

Aside the general list of graduands, students graduating with the minimum CGPA of 3.75 shall be listed as the Vice Chancellor’s list.

 

1. Awards

Until further notice, the following are the major awards during graduation. Awardees in these categories shall be listed in the graduation program for special recognition.

1. Outstanding student in each department with the minimum CGPA of 3.60.
2. Best behaved male and female non-resident graduating citizen.
3. Best behaved male and female resident graduating citizen.
4. Nana Akosua-Akyeamaa II Memorial Award for female student who displayed the highest sense of leadership.
5. George Bryson Memorial Award for outstanding student chaplain.
6. Sportsman and woman of the year.
7. Batsa Nakotey and Associates’ Award for the outstanding BBA Accounting graduating student.
8. Professor Kofi Owusu Mensa Award for outstanding history graduating student.
9. The Abbey Scholarship Foundation for male and female graduating students who exhibit the core values of Valley View University.

 

1. Graduation Appeal

Any petition concerning a past graduation should be forwarded to the Academic Board through the Dean. Students are responsible to abreast themselves with all the relevant information concerning each graduation.

 

1. Degree Annulment

If the University discovers evidence of academic dishonesty and or any other offense in any form relating to the degree awarded, the degree shall be annulled by the Academic Board after due process and procedure.

1. Students Records
   1. Documents issued to students after graduation are the award certificates and the final transcript (Personal Copy). It should be noted that personal transcript cannot be used for official purposes. It serves as a preview to the official transcript.

 

2. Attestation\Recommendation\English Proficiency letters and official transcript shall be issued upon request. Until the University online document request platform is ready, graduates are advised to pick-up request forms at the Registry (Bulley Block Room #25), complete the form and return it for processing. It should be noted that students with failed citizenship grades shall be disqualified from the University’s general recommendation letter.
3. Documents requested can be posted to the provided address or directly picked from the outfit incharge of transcripts. Those who may not be able to pick-up documents personally are required to issue authorization note, signed with the signature we have on our records.

Graduates are required to verify the details on their scholastic and personal transcript and forward concerns\issues that may demand correction to the Records Office for authentication and correction before the official transcript is printed.

1. Mobile Payment for Fees and Charges

Valley View University students and Alumni can now apply for documents and make payments through its official mobile payment platform; dial the following codes:*800*50# and follow the prompts.

Note: StudentID and Account Number are mandatory for those who would opt to use this platform.  

 

1. Certification
   1. Award certificates shall be made available for collection at the Office of the Registrar after graduation. This shall be communicated to all graduates awaiting certificate through SMS and or other available medium.

 

2. Details of certificates shall be as presented on the graduation list. Students are advised to report any issue that demands correction before graduation to avoid replacement charges.

1. Clearance

Clearance is required before and after graduation:

1. Before graduation clearance: Students require Academic, Student Life and Financial clearance to go through graduation ceremony.
2. After graduation clearance: Graduates are to complete another clearance form before certificate could be issued.

Note: both clearance start from students accouts office Bulley Block Room #13.

 

1. Certification before Graduation Ceremony

It is not the practice of the University to issue certificates to students who have completed program requirements but have not gone through graduation exercise. Attestation letter may be issued in extreme situations.

 

1. Certificate Replacement

Original certificate is issued once. Any certificate issued with error details should be returned to the Registrar’s Office for authentication of claim and correction. For certificate replacement, all available conditions shall apply.

 

1. Miscellaneous
   1. Alumni

The outfit of the alumni is a liaison between the graduates and their alma matter. Graduates are to play active role in keeping the association vibrant with contributions that will facilitate the growth of the University.

 

 

1. Graduating Class
   1. A Graduating Class is the entire group of students who have been recommended by the Academic Board for a degree conferral exercise/graduation in a particular period. The University Administration shall be responsible for the election of a sponsor. The Class Sponsor may elect Class Executives (Class Coordinators) by choosing from the various modes to represent the Graduating Class. They shall represent and lead the Class in various issues and most importantly relay information to the entire group.

 

2. The Class Coordinators/Executives may come up with various proposals to grace the occasion. Note, proposals and recommendations must be approved by the Sponsor, Steering Committee and the University Administration.

 

3. All Class Coordinators/Executives shall be sanctioned for any improper conduct and failure to follow proper procedures.

 

1. Provision of Academic Gowns

The University Estate is the outfit that takes care of all issues concerning gowns. During graduations, the outfit decides the best way to serve graduands.

 

1. Announcements

`     Official information concerning graduands is usually channeled through the University website, campus notice boards and sometimes SMS message. The Graduating Class Coordinators/Executives may also assist with information flow when approved by the Steering Committee and Class Sponsor.

 

 

Graduands of the Valley View University are required to wear the right academic regalia to the congregation ceremony. The regalia comprises a gown, a hood and a mortarboard (cap). It is expected that graduands would wear neat business attire under the gown. 

1. Adjust the gown so that it sits comfortably on your shoulders.

It should fall below your knee, but not so low that it is a tripping hazard.

 

2. Put the hood on over your head with the velvet side up and the small tapered end in front.

Drape your hood around your neck with the largest portion of the hood hanging down your back.

 

3. Secure the hood so it doesn’t slip off.

Use the cord on the front to secure the hood to a shirt button or use a safety pin to attach it to a blouse or dress. This will also give you a little breathing room so the hood isn’t tight against your neck. Fasten all hooks, buttons, and

 

4. Let your colors show.

Turn the Penn colors outward to show and roll the velvet edge out as well so that the inside colors show. When you’re done, the end of the hood will look somewhat like a fin.

 

5. Place the cap on your head so that point is lined up with the middle of your forehead.

It will look like a diamond shape. (The inside of the cap tells you which end is the front.) Adjust the mortarboard so that it’s parallel to the ground — don’t wear it to the side or to the back. You may need to use some bobby pins or clips to keep it securely on your head.

 

6. Fasten your tassel to the button on the top of the mortarboard.

Put the tassel on the right side and don’t turn it until your degree has been conferred.

 

All graduation issues should first be reported to the respective Faculty Officer for redress.

 

All enquiries should be directed at the Estate Department

 

Enquiries on graduation requirements should be directed to the respective Faculty Officers

 

Graduands are seated according to Schools and Faculties and in the order of procession.