From Left: Rodrigo Reyero Pita, Deputy Head of Mission, Her Excellency Maria Alonso and Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor
The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Maria Alonso has paid a courtesy call on Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryetey. She was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Rodrigo Reyero Pita. The visit was to discuss ways in which the University and the Embassy could enhance their existing partnerships for mutual benefit.
While welcoming the delegation to the University, Prof. Aryeetey noted that the University is desirous of diversifying the number of programmes offered, in line with its internationalization drive. He added that the study of Spanish and other languages provide opportunities for students to learn about other cultures. He welcomed any educational and cultural exchange programmes which would also allow students from Spain study at the University of Ghana.
Prof. Aryeetey expressed the hope that more University of Ghana students studying Spanish would have the opportunity to attend year abroad programmes, since many parents are willing to sponsor their wards in this respect. He noted that currently very few slots are available for such students, adding that in the last academic year only 6 students had that opportunity.
Her Excellency Alonso expressed her gratitude to the University of Ghana for providing space for the establishment of the Spanish Cultural Centre, Cassa Hispanica which has helped in training Ghanaian students studying Spanish at the University of Ghana. She pledged the willingness of the Spanish Embassy to further support the Spanish Section with educational resources such as text books and audio-visual materials. The Spanish Ambassodor noted that with the growing number of Spanish speaking foreign missions, her Embassy is willing to coordinate their activities so that they could offer joint support for the effective teaching and learning of Spanish at the University of Ghana.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Spanish Embassy, Rodrigo Reyero Pita, said the Embassy has over the years collaborated in various ways with the Spanish section. He was hopeful that with the renewal of the cultural budget, the Embassy will be well placed to provide more support. He said they were also considering extending their collaboration with the University by establishing Research agreements with other Departments.
