The University of Ghana (UG) and the Cornell University have made a historic collaboration to explore groundbreaking initiatives aimed at transforming the higher education landscape.
A panel discussion was held in light of the move on February 22, 2024, at the prestigious Great Hall of the University of Ghana. The event was centered around the theme, ‘The Future Of Collaboration: Global Higher Education And Making A Difference At Home And In The World.’
Dignitaries from both institutions who were engaged in the panel discussion included UG Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gordon Awandare, Emily Fertik from the United States Embassy in Ghana and Prof. Racheal Beatty Riedll of Cornell University’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. The discussion was moderated by Cornell University’s Vice Provost of International Affairs, Prof. Wendy Wolford.
The keynote speaker at the event, Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. Dr. Ntim Fordjour, represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and commended the collaboration for addressing global challenges. He emphasized the significance of technological advancements in solving complex societal issues and encouraged students to engage in cutting-edge research for transformative solutions.
“This collaboration has further deepened the friendship between Ghana and the United States and has reiterated a point that there couldn’t be a more impactful way countries could collaborate for particularly education. In our fourth industrial revolution, it is expected of countries rising and embracing technology to solve some of the most complex challenges we find in society and across the globe that has been the preoccupation of this government particularly as the ministry of education is leading the charge.”
“To our students, let us avail ourselves to venture into research that many do not talk about and solve some of the problems that face us today because those are the [measures] that will move this country to a sustainable path for our economic transformation,” urged Rev Dr Ntim Fordjour.
During the panel discussion, the challenge of fostering collaborations among African countries (South-South Collaborations) took center stage. Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, urged the President of the Republic to facilitate these collaborations across the continent, emphasizing the need for easier movement and increased partnerships among African nations.
“We talked about the South-South collaborations, the need for our government to facilitate these for us, so the representative of Mr. President, we are speaking to you to figure out what we need to do in this regard to facilitate collaboration on the continent.”
“We also need to do more of other kinds of collaboration, collaborations including higher education institutions and ministry, collaborations between higher education institutions and civil society groups and all others in our communities. We need to spread out and nurture all of these kinds of collaboration to get us to the future that we anticipate.”
The collaboration between Cornell University and the University of Ghana not only marks a significant milestone in higher education but also sets the stage for transformative initiatives that could have a lasting impact on a global scale.
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Story by: Esther Esenam Ofori | univers.ug.edu.gh
