In a moving ceremony that blended history, gratitude, and institutional pride, the Global Alumni of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Thursday, 4th December 2025, honoured Professor Joshua Alabi with a Customized Anniversary Lacoste and a Special Citation. The symbolic presentation, held at the UPSA East Legon campus, celebrated the recent conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree on Prof. Alabi and acknowledged his profound impact on one of Ghana’s fastest-growing higher education institutions.

For many alumni, the moment was deeply personal. Prof. Alabi was not only a national figure but a mentor whose influence transcended generations. To some, he was a lecturer; to others, a visionary administrator; and to many more, the embodiment of UPSA’s remarkable transformation.

Long before he became the first alumnus to serve as Vice Chancellor, a young and energetic Joshua Alabi stood in lecture halls teaching Economics in 1987—firm yet inspiring, analytical yet approachable. One of his students was Francis Kodjo Dadzie, now President of the UPSA Global Alumni, who led this honour on behalf of thousands who passed through the institution’s classrooms and corridors.
“It is only right,” he noted, “that the institution he helped build now celebrates him with reverence.”

A Journey Intertwined with UPSA’s Evolution

Professor Alabi’s story is inseparable from UPSA’s story. He first entered the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) in 1977 as a Professional Accounting student, beginning a lifelong relationship with the school. On 1 November 1987, he returned to his alma mater as a lecturer and rose steadily through the academic and administrative ranks with discipline, clarity of thought, and unwavering loyalty.

His leadership trajectory includes:

• Course Head for Marketing (1990)

• Head of Management Consultancy Unit (1993)

• Senior Lecturer in Economics & International Marketing (2000)

• Head of Marketing Department (2002)

• Head of the Management Division (2003)

• Associate Professor (2007)

• Acting Rector (2008)

• Rector (2009–2012)

• Vice Chancellor (2013–2016)

Throughout these years, he championed the transition of IPS into a full-fledged public university. He reshaped academic pathways, broadened programme offerings, and introduced the innovative fusion of professional certification with academic degrees—an approach that has since earned UPSA international recognition. His mentorship shaped many of UPSA’s present-day leaders, inspiring them to modernize curriculum delivery, expand research, and improve student engagement.

Leadership Beyond Borders

Long before his rise at UPSA, Prof. Alabi demonstrated unmistakable leadership. While studying in the Soviet Union, he served as President of NUGS Russia (1984) and NUGS Europe (1985), amplifying the voice of Ghanaian students abroad. Friends recall his purposeful discipline even in those early years—qualities that would later define his leadership back home.

Symbols of Gratitude and Legacy

The anniversary Lacoste and citation presented were more than ceremonial tokens; they symbolized identity, pride, and history. The Customized Lacoste, stitched in UPSA colours and bearing his name, honoured a lifelong bond that began as a student, matured as a lecturer, and peaked as Vice Chancellor. The accompanying citation—crafted from UPSA’s archival memory—captured the breadth of his contributions and the depth of his impact:

“…for his enduring service, principled leadership, and lasting contribution to higher education and national development in Ghana…”

For many alumni witnessing the moment, the presentation was a reminder that institutions do not grow by accident—they grow because individuals choose to carry them forward.

A Legacy Etched in UPSA’s Rising Story

Today, UPSA stands prominently among Ghana’s tertiary institutions with global accreditations, modern facilities, and expanding professional programmes. Many of these milestones trace their foundations to Prof. Alabi’s tenure. His honorary doctorate is therefore not only deserved but historic—recognizing an alumnus who returned to build the very institution that shaped him.

Reflecting on the honour, Prof. Alabi remarked:
“I have always believed that leadership is about building people. If our students excel, UPSA excels. If our staff are empowered, Ghana’s tertiary sector grows.”

His words echoed the spirit of the day—a celebration not merely of titles earned, but of lives shaped, systems reformed, and futures influenced.

A Fitting Tribute

The ceremony was more than an alumni gesture; it was a national story—one of how a visionary leader helped transform a modest professional institute into a modern university, nurturing leaders across Ghana and beyond. As UPSA continues its upward rise, the legacy of Professor Joshua Alabi lives on, not only in citations and commemorative shirts, but in the lives of thousands who passed through his classrooms, walked through the doors he opened, and lead institutions shaped by his vision.

A fitting honour for a builder of minds, institutions, and generations.