UG, Russian Universities Engage to Explore Academic and Research Collaborations
The University of Ghana and a consortium of Russian universities have held discussions directed at creating avenues for academic and research collaborations. The meeting, held at the New Council Chamber, brought together representatives of leading Russian institutions and senior officials of the University.
The visit formed part of efforts to strengthen international cooperation and promote academic exchange between UG and globally recognised universities.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, expressed delight at the engagement and underscored the significance of global partnerships in advancing the University’s strategic goals.
“We are always open to collaborations that help broaden the horizons of our students and faculty,” she said. Prof. Amfo added that, “This initiative presents great opportunities for training, research and cultural exchange areas that align strongly with the University’s mission.”
She added that such conversations align with the University’s Strategic Priorities, including Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research and Engagement and Partnerships. The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that more meaningful outcomes would emerge from the engagement.
Dr. Natalia Krasovskaia, leader of the Russian delegation, expressed her gratitude to the University of Ghana for the warm welcome and the opportunity to meet with the university's leadership. She introduced her team, comprising representatives from esteemed Russian universities, including Novosibirsk State Technical University and Saint Petersburg State University.
Dr. Krasovskaia highlighted the potential for collaboration between Russian universities and UG. She outlined the Russian universities' academic programmes, research opportunities and exchange programmes, which could provide UG students with valuable international exposure and skills, thus, enhancing the academic experience and research capabilities of students and staff.
Prof. Sergei Chernovof Novosibirsk State Technical University highlighted his university’s diverse academic programmes and its international reach.
Dr. Chernov said, “Our university hosts students from over 20 countries,” he said. “We provide a wide range of programmes from engineering to the humanities and we would be glad to welcome Ghanaian students to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies with us.”
For his part, Andrei Lesion of Saint Petersburg State University, Russia’s oldest university, also shared insights into his institution’s global outlook.
According to him, “Saint Petersburg State University currently has students from about 140 countries.” “We are keen on establishing exchange programmes and research collaborations with the University of Ghana to enhance global learning experiences,” Mr. Lesion remarked.
Delivering remarks during the meeting, Registrar Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, extended a warm welcome to the delegation and commended their interest in establishing links with the University of Ghana.
“We are happy to host you and to begin conversations that could lead to mutually beneficial partnerships,” she said.
Mrs. Agyei-Mensah intimated that achieving the vision of the University requires building relationships with reputable institutions.
She reaffirmed the University’s readiness to pursue tangible outcomes from the discussions. “UG will take advantage of this engagement to explore new opportunities for collaboration. We remain committed to building strong partnerships that advance our academic mission,” the Registrar added.
Further discussions centred on steps to formalise the partnership and explore specific areas of collaboration, including student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects and academic mobility programmes.
Present at the meeting were Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, Provost of the College of Health Sciences; Prof. Samuel Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education; Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences; Dr. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director of Public Affairs; Prof. Nicholas Dayie, International Programmes Coordinator at the College of Health Sciences; Prof. Ildiko Csajbok-Twerefou, Russian Section, Department of European Languages: Dr. Joanna Boampong, Head of the Department of European Studies and Dr. Fusheini Hudu, Head of the Department of Linguistics.
