In a strategic move to bolster existing collaborations and explore new areas of mutual interest, a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) visited the University of Ghana (UG). Led by NMU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sibongile Muthwa, the visit aimed to strengthen the partnership established between the two institutions in 2022.
This significant meeting aligns with UG’s newly launched Strategic Plan, which prioritizes ‘Engagements and Partnerships.’ The partnership promises to enhance academic and research opportunities for both universities, leveraging their strengths across diverse disciplines.
Strengthening Ties and Exploring New Opportunities
UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, warmly welcomed the NMU delegation, emphasizing the importance of the visit in the context of UG’s strategic vision. Prof. Amfo highlighted UG’s position as a comprehensive university capable of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
She shared UG’s vision to “achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centered approach.” This vision aligns seamlessly with the goals of the NMU partnership.
Prof. Muthwa of NMU echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for African universities to collaborate, given their shared challenges and goals. She noted that NMU students and scholars are already engaging with their counterparts at UG, and the visit sought to further solidify these relationships.
“We have areas of common strength and areas of strategic interest for collaboration in research, domains of science, teaching, and collaborative supervision,” Prof. Muthwa remarked.
Focus Areas for Collaboration
The delegation identified several key areas for potential collaboration, including sciences, languages, and African studies. Prof. André Keet, NMU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, emphasized that while both institutions have strong roots in the sciences, they are eager to expand their partnership into these additional fields.
UG’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, discussed the newly launched Research Strategy (2024-2029), which focuses on critical areas such as Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases, Food Production and Processing, and Climate Change Adaptation, among others.
He noted that much of UG’s research funding comes from international collaborations, highlighting the importance of the partnership with NMU in securing research grants and advancing scholarly work.
Academic Life and Governance
Prof. Gordon Awandare, UG’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, provided an overview of academic life at UG, detailing programs in Law, Business, Medical Sciences, Performing Arts, and Engineering Sciences.
The university operates a collegiate system of governance and serves a diverse student body of 70,000, with nearly equal gender representation. The Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, provided further insights into the university’s structure and demographics.
The meeting also featured contributions from NMU team members, including Dr. Nehemiah Latolla, Prof. Judy Peter, and Jenny du Preez, who highlighted the potential for joint research grant applications, faculty exchanges, and student mobility programs.
Dr. Palesa Mothapo discussed NMU’s robust research infrastructure, which includes 20 research entities and various notable chairs supported by the Department of Science and Innovation.
Representatives from the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, including Mr. Prince Charles A. Aggrey and Ellen D. Kugblenu, also participated, sharing strategies for research support that could benefit both institutions.
For more info visit: ug.edu.gh