Institutional Steering Committee to Review Internationalization Strategies and Procedures Inaugurated

 

A group photograph taken after the inauguration ceremony

An Institutional Steering Committee for the Review of Internationalization Strategies and Procedures (UGISC) chaired by Prof. Chris Gordon (IESS) has been inaugurated in the University of Ghana by the Vice-Chancellor,Prof. Ernest Aryeetey. The ceremony was witnessed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, ASA, Prof. Kwame Offei, and the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel Ashia.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ernest Aryeetey noted that a year ago, the International Association of Universities (IAU) approached the University to ascertain its interest in taking advantage of advisory services under their International Strategy Advisory Service (ISAS) in respect of developing a strategy for internationalization. He added that in line with already initiated efforts to achieve world class status through meeting the basic standards of internationalization, the University responded positively to the offer. He hinted that the University of Cape-Coast similarly accepted to participate resulting in a joint undertaking by ISAS in Ghana.

Internationalization is vital to the achievement of the University of Ghana strategic vision of becoming a world-class research-intensive University within the next decade. The IAU, of which the University of Ghana is a member University, has for decades been involved in surveys on Internationalization policies and practises and is therefore very well-placed to advise in that regard.Lessons learnt from many institutions all over the world which have engaged the ISAS programme will be useful in the University’s bid to meet global standards.

The ISAS alliance between the University of Ghana and IAUwas formalised in November 2014 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).  Under the terms of agreement, the University stands to benefit from the experience and wisdom of the IAU to enhance its approach to internationalization. A panel of experts representing different regions of the world appointed by ISAS willvisit the University to dialogue with stake-holders, review internationalization initiatives and come up with recommendations to move forward.

A requirement of the MoU was to set up an “institution-wide Steering Committee chaired by a senior Institutional representative to carry out an internationalization review process and deliver on project objectives”.  The responsibilities of the Institutional Steering Committee for the Review of Internationalization Strategies and Procedures (UGISC)include:

1.       Holding regular meetings to plan its work and develop a work plan and communications strategy for a self-study on Internationalization.

2.       Initiating a wider campus conversation in meetings or workshop to clarifying institutional goals and progress to date with regard to internationalization.

3.       Gathering, analyzing and contributing information to the leadership team’s report.

4.       Preparing a strategic report for the entire campus community, detailing the review’s findings.

5.       Reviewing the goals and developing an internationalization plan or revising the existing one.

The 15-member Steering Committee comprises representatives of stakeholders across the University. They are:

1.            Prof. Chris Gordon                          Director, Inst. for Environment & Sanitation Studies(Chair)

2.            Prof.Naa A. Adamafio                    Dean, International Programmes

3.            Dr. James Adomako                        Dean of Student Affairs

4.            Prof. Patrick Ayeh-Kumi                                Dean, SBAHS, Rep. College of Health Sciences

5.            Dr. Margaret Amoakohene         Rep. College of Education

6.            Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann              School of Eng., Rep. College of Basic & Applied Sciences

7.            Prof. Helen Yitah                              Head, Dept. of English, Rep. College of Humanities

8.            Dr. Richard Asante                           Institute of African Studies (Calvin Programme UG Link)

9.            Dr.EbenezarAyesu                          Snr. Tutor, International Hostel

10.          Mrs. Maame Esi Obeng                 International Hostel Finance Officer

11.          Mrs. Theresa Kwakye                    ISEP Coordinator

12.          Mr. Joshua Dogbey                         SRC President/nominee NUGS-Legon

13.          Mr. Reginald Arthur                        GRASAG President/nominee GRASAG - Legon

14.          Mr. Ugochukwu Nwadiani           ISA President/nominee International Students Association.  

15.          Mrs. Lydia A.Nyako-Danquah     Snr. Asst. Registrar, Academic Affairs(Secretary)

 

The Committee has the period of February to April to complete its work and will rely heavily on support and inputs from the University community to achieve its goals.

Chair of the Review Panel, Prof. Leapetswe Malete will visit the University to initiate discussions with the various stakeholders on the 11th and 12th February 2015. Following this, a series of dialogues and workshops will be organised to gather information needed for the Committee’s work as well as a site visit by the entire panel.