The School of Economics of the University of Cape Coast has entered into agreement with Higher School of Economics (HSE) University, Russia to promote academic cooperation between the two institutions.
Specifically, the agreement aims at promoting joint research, staff and students exchanges and explore other areas that will advance the cause of the collaboration.
The agreement is expected to be sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two universities in Russia in September, 2023.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, said UCC was well positioned to collaborate with HSE.
He noted that it was not surprising that HSE chose to collaborate with the best ranked University in Ghana, West Africa and the top four in Africa adding “We pride ourselves as the University of Competitive Choice”
Prof. Boampong was confident that the collaboration would be mutually beneficial to both institutions.
Tracing UCC’s ties with Russia, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, added that the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who established UCC engaged a Russia firm to the construction of the state-of-the-art campus for the University, but the construction process was terminated after his overthrow in 1966.
“The Science complex, cafeteria and Casford Hall were constructed by the Russians” he explained.
On his part, the leader of the HSE delegation, Dr. Leonid Issaer, said his institution was one of the leading and top ranked universities in Russia.
Dr. Issaer said UCC was the first institution in West Africa HSE was entering into collaboration with.
In recognition of the new partnership, Dr. Issaer invited the Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the School of Economics to the signing ceremony to be held in Moscow, Russia.
Dr. Issaer was accompanied by Rorolaer Andrey, Alisa Shishkina, Victor Kulikov, Yulia Vorotilova, Dr. Mieleuel Wombego , Christian Kwesi Coordinator in Ghana and Micah Zing.
Present at the meeting were the Dean, School of Economics, Prof. James Atta Peprah; Immediate Past Dean, School of Economics, Prof. Emmanuel Ekow Asmah; College Registrar, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey.
Others were: Head, Department of Economic Studies, Prof. Camara Kwasi Obeng; Head, Department of Applied Economics, Dr. Jacob Nunoo and Faculty Officer, School of Economics, Ms. Miriam Danso-Mensah.