A delegation from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco, has called on the Vice-Chancellor to explore possible areas of collaborations with UCC.
Introducing the delegation to the Vice-Chancellor, the Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, indicated that UM6P was a reputable institution and a hub of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, which links have close relations with the University’s academic training agenda. He noted that UM6P, through its Agricultural Research Scientists for Africa initiative, has expressed interest in establishing a partnership with the School of Agriculture in order to meet the challenges of research, innovation, and training in Africa.
Purpose of the Visit
The team leader, Hassan Tber, explained that the reason for the visit to UCC was based on a signed agreement between the Ghanaian government and the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa through UM6P to develop research in Ghana." He added that since UM6P has the aim to develop Agriculture in Africa, they thought it wise to establish collaboration with the University in order to share knowledge, students and lecturers. UM6P also has plans to establish an experimental farm in UCC. Hassan Tber was hopeful that the partnership would help students and lecturers from both Universities to identify real problems and context; gain valuable knowledge and as well get connected and networked to develop African Agriculture.
Promoting research and innovation in Agriculture
Welcoming the team, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, expressed gratitude for such a collaborative idea to help build and share knowledge, and to develop and promote research and innovation in Agriculture. He applauded the move by UM6P because it was very rare to have collaborations with African universities. Prof. Ampiah assured that "We have the resources to support this collaborative initiative and I believe that the School of Agriculture is poised to handle such initiative very competently."
The Vice-Chancellor commended the School of Agriculture for its initiatives to develop and promote research and technology in Agriculture. He was also hopeful that the collaboration, when formalised, would help lecturers and students to build, transfer and exchange knowledge to affect academic research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
In attendance were the Dean, School of Agriculture, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, General Agronomist, OCP Ghana Limited, Mr. Richmond Dogbe, Senior Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgina Asi Owusu and lecturers from the School of Agriculture.
As part of the visit, the delegation from UM6P interacted with faculty of the School of Agriculture and also embarked on a field trip to Wamaso in the Central Region to inspect the proposed site for field experimentation station and laboratories.