High-Level Delegation from University of Edinburgh, University of the Witwatersrand and Mastercard Foundation Engages UG to Advance Global Impact Agenda
A high-level delegation from the University of Edinburgh, the University of the Witwatersrand and the Mastercard Foundation has engaged with the University of Ghana in a strategic meeting aimed at advancing collaboration in digital education and artificial intelligence, sustainability and climate and healthcare.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships that support the University’s global impact agenda through research collaboration, innovation and capacity building.
Welcoming the delegation, the Dean of International Programmes, Prof. Jemima Anderson, noted that the meeting aligns with the University’s strategic priority on engagement and partnerships. She emphasised that such collaborations are essential for enhancing research output and creating globally relevant learning opportunities for students and faculty.
“This engagement reflects our shared commitment to advancing digital education, strengthening research collaboration and expanding opportunities for innovation,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Soledad Garcia Ferrari, Dean International, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, highlighted her institution’s focus on sustainability and climate, digital transformation and artificial intelligence and the future of health and care. She underscored the importance of partnerships that translate research into real-world impact.
Representing the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr. Samia Chasi, Head of the Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, expressed optimism about deepening bilateral and multilateral collaborations. She pointed to key areas including sustainability, water, health, energy and civic engagement, as well as shared platforms such as the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and UNA Europa.
The Mastercard Foundation delegation, led by Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Senior Director for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to advancing quality education. He highlighted ongoing collaborative initiatives with the University of Ghana, including the Nkabom Collaborative, the Climate Collaborative and the Education Collaborative.
“The fastest way for a young person to become more productive in their lives is through quality education,” he noted.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, highlighted the central role of strategic partnerships in advancing the University’s global impact agenda through innovation and research. She pointed to ongoing initiatives, including the Student Venture Support Programme and the establishment of an Innovation Enclave and Makerspace, as key steps in strengthening a research-driven and entrepreneurial ecosystem within the University.
She noted that the scale and complexity of today’s global challenges require collaborative approaches, stressing that no single institution can address them in isolation. Prof. Amfo reaffirmed the University’s commitment to building and sustaining partnerships that drive knowledge creation, innovation and meaningful impact across Africa and beyond.
Delivering closing remarks, the Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Cudjoe, highlighted the University’s priority research areas, including infectious and non-communicable diseases, climate change, development policy and education and information literacy, as strong foundations for future collaboration.
The engagement is expected to enhance opportunities for joint research, academic exchange and innovation, while strengthening partnerships that contribute to the University’s global impact agenda.