UG and Nelson Mandela University to Expand Existing Partnership

To strengthen existing partnerships and focus on more areas of common interest, a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sibongile Muthwa, paid a visit to the University of Ghana.

UG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in receiving the delegation underscored the importance of the visit, as UG’s newly launched Strategic Plan highlights ‘Engagements and Partnerships’ as one of its strategic priorities.

Prof. Amfo reiterated UG's strength as a comprehensive university that supports collaboration across diverse academic areas. She shared UG’s vision to "achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centered approach" with the delegation and mentioned that the visit aligned with the University’s efforts at attaining its vision.

Prof.  Muthwa, in her remarks, stressed the need for African Universities to team up, as they share common interests and challenges, making collaborations essential for achieving mutual goals. She indicated that the institutional partnership established in 2022 with the University of Ghana has paved the way for joint efforts in areas of shared interest. 

Prof.  Muthwa noted that Nelson Mandela University students and scholars are already engaged in various activities with their colleagues in the University of Ghana, which has led to the decision to strengthen these relationships further. 

“We have areas of common strength and areas of strategic interest for collaboration in research, domains of science, teaching and collaborative supervision” she said.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of NMU, Prof. André Keet, in his remarks, stated that although both Universities have strong roots and interests in the Sciences, Languages and African Studies are additional areas they look forward to prioritising in the collaboration. 

Also at the meeting, UG’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development (RID), Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, explained that most research funds come from collaborations with international institutions, as Ghana does not have a National Research Fund. 

He informed the visiting delegation that the newly launched Research Strategy (2024-2029) focuses on seven areas, namely, Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases; Food Production and Processing; Trans-disciplinary Research into Climate Change Adaptation; Development Policy, Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation; Politics, Socio-cultural change, Mobility and Development; Creative Arts, Education and Communication and Information Literacy and Fourth Industrial Revolution tools. 

Prof. Asante expressed interest in exploring areas of interdisciplinary research. 

Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), gave an overview of academic life on campus. He mentioned some of the academic programmes the University offers, such as Law, Business, Medical Sciences, Performing Arts, and Engineering Sciences. He looked forward to the expanded partnership between UG and NMU.

The Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, briefed the visiting team on the various academic units in his College, highlighting the impact they are making.

He also mentioned the approval received from the UG Council to establish the Centre for Educational Research to coordinate and enhance research on matters pertaining to the field of Education.

The Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, gave a general overview of UG, indicating that the University is operating a Collegiate system of governance. She quoted the total number of students across the various campuses as 70,000, with almost a 50/50 gender parity.

Other UG officials present at the meeting were Prof. M.P.K Okyerefo, Department of Sociology and an NMU collaborator; Prof Jemima Anderson incoming Dean, International Programmes Office and Dr. Cyrelene Amoah-Boampong, Coordinator of UG Summer Schools, International Programmes Office.

The visiting NMU team included Dr. Nehemiah Latolla, Project Lead, African Collaborations; Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director, International Office and Jenny du Preez, Senior Manager, Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET).

After the interaction with Management, the NMU team hosted a lunch at the Vice-Chancellors Lodge, following which they interacted with selected Deans, Directors and Heads of Department to discuss specific disciplines of interest for collaboration.

They included Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director, Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), Prof.  Samuel Ntewusu, Director, Institute of African Studies, Prof. Alfred E. Yawson, Dean, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), Ag. Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Prof. Emmanuel Sarpong-Kumankoma and Dr. Angela M. Lamptey, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences (DMFS). Also present at the meeting was Prof. Firibu K. Saalia, O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair for Food Science and Technology.

Dr. Palesa Mothapo, Director, Research Support from Nelson Mandela University presented books, highlighting ongoing partnerships in Marine Sciences and the intention to explore new cooperative opportunities. 

She noted key areas of focus, which include joint research grant applications, faculty meet-ups and student mobility programmes. 

Dr. Mothapo also elaborated on NMU’s extensive research infrastructure, including 20 research entities and notable chairs in various disciplines, supported by the Department of Science and Innovation. 

Also present at the meeting was a team from the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, Mr. Prince Charles A. Aggrey, Research Officer and Ellen D. Kugblenu, who shared research support strategies which will benefit both institutions. Mr. Aggrey highlighted the role of the Ministry in overseeing the collaborations between academia as well as listed the criteria for grant applications.  

Ms. Pascaline Songsore, Senior Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate moderated the first meeting, while Mrs. Mavis Osafo Adu, Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate moderated the second meeting, with Ms. Delali Acolatse, Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate in attendance.