A group photo after the meeting
A delegation from the University of Edinburgh and the African Academy of Sciences met with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo and other Senior Officials of UG to advance talks on strategic partnerships across areas of research, innovation, education and outreach, and community building.
In welcoming the delegation, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo expressed the University's excitement about the mutually beneficial collaboration and assured them of the University's commitment, as it will benefit both universities and the continent as a whole.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
Prof. Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, expressed gratitude for the University of Ghana's long-standing relationship with the University of Edinburgh. He stated that as universities serve as a place of transformation for youth, their primary focus is on the youth.
In providing an overview of Edinburgh University, Prof. Mathieson mentioned that the University seeks to be regarded as relevant to cities, regions, and the international community. This he stated is a reason why the engagement with the African continent is important as they determine ways in which they can become relevant in Africa.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Sir Peter Mathieson
Prof. Felix Depare Dakora, President of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), gave a review of the African Academy of Sciences' (AAS) educational and innovative landscape since its inception in 1985. He noted that the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) exists primarily to foster collaboration and train the continent's future scientists.
(Middle) Prof. Felix Depare Dakora, President of the African Academy of Sciences
Prof. Felix A. Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), gave a breakdown of his office's operations and stated that the University's research areas have primarily focused on Malaria Research, Climate Change and Adaptation, as well as Agricultural Production, among others, over the last decade. He explained that the new University's Research Strategy, which is currently being developed, will focus on infectious and non-communicable diseases, agricultural research with a focus on plant breeding, AI and Big Data, Creative Arts, among other things.
Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), also briefed the delegation on his office's operations. He stated that his office provides academic supervision and policy direction, and that the Provosts are the implementors of academic programmes in the University's colleges.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare
The Provosts of the four (4) colleges and the Dean of International Programmes, took turns to brief the team from the University of Edinburgh and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) on Management's strategic plans and initiatives to make the colleges more efficient and pivotal to the success of the University of Ghana.
Earlier, the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei Mensah provided an overview of the University and explained its management and collegiate system.
After exchanging gifts, the delegation from the University of Edinburgh and the African Academy of Science paid visits to researchers working on decolonisation and decoloniality, the Institute of African Studies, the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, the Office of Institutional Advancement WACCI and toured the University Campus. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Chancellor of the University, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse.
The visiting delegation was made up of Prof. Francisca Mutapi, Professor of Global Health Infection & Immunity, Senior Adviser to the Principal on Africa; Nick Rowland, Regional Director - Africa, Edinburgh Global; Liz Reilly, Director of Philanthropy & Donor Relations; Prof. Tommy Curry, Professor of Africana Philosophy and Black Male Studies; Dr. Nelson Oppong, Lecturer in African Studies and International Development ( University of Ghana Alumnus); Sharon Boateng, Programme Manager of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program; Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director; Gareth Poxon, Delegation Support - photography and video; Jayne Glendinning, Delegation Support - Logistic Support.
Senior officers from the University of Ghana included, Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost, College of Humanities; Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences; Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost, College of Education; Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyeman, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences; Prof. Eric Osei Assibey, Dean, International Programmes; and Mrs. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director, Public Affairs.
