As part of efforts to deepen ties with some key strategic partners in the United States of America (USA), the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong has visited Howard University in Washington DC.
The visit was aimed at expanding an existing collaboration as well as harness more opportunities for faculty, staff and students of University of Cape Coast.
Prof. Nyarko Boampong was accompanied on his visit by a team including Prof. David Teye Doku, Director, Directorate of Research, Innovation and Research (DRIC-UCC); Dr. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, Vice Dean of the Office of International Relations (OIR-UCC); Dr. Eugene Kwarteng-Nantwi, Coordinator for some of the Institutions visited and Mr. Samuel Danso Akoto, President of the UCC Alumni Association in Ghana.
The Vice- Chancellor and his delegation were received to the University by Dr. Anthony Wutoh, Provost and Chief Academic Officer who was acting on behalf of the President of Howard University.
The two universities in their deliberations agreed to collaborate in the training of specialists from the School of Medical Sciences, UCC and young lecturers from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from UCC at the PhD level.
The two also reached a consensus to collaborate in the areas of Business, particularly in Supply Chain Management and Masters in Business Administration as well as leadership in Hospitality Management and Educational Psychology. Both universities also agreed to exchange students and staff.
Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, VC UCC (Right) and Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Howard State University (left) exchanging gifts.
The team from Howard University further pledged to collaborate in the area of Diaspora Studies and to improve participation in the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) with UCC as the focal point.
UCC was also to take advantage of the various training and development programmes organized online for staff especially in the areas of Business and Hospitality Management. Added areas of collaboration included research and grantsmanship.
Members of the Howard team included; Dr. Anthony D. Wilbon, Dean of the School of Business; Dr. Dawn Williams, Dean of the School of Education; Ms. Ashli Johnson, Director, Marriott-Sorenson Hospitality Program; Cudore L. Snell, Assistant Provost for International Programmes, and Dr. Tonija Hope, Director for the Ralph Bunche International Affairs Centre. Others were Mr. Bilal Badruddin, Acting Director, Alumni Relations, Mr. Jose Cadiz-Carrasquillo, and Ms. Jenelle Howard, Director and Assistant Director respectively of Intercultural Affairs and also in charge of International Students Support.
The Vice-Chancellor and his team also paid a courtesy call on Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America, Her Excellency, Hajia Alima Mahama.
Prof. Nyarko Boampong in his deliberation with the Ambassador appealed for support from the Ghanaian Consulate to help Vice Chancellor’s Ghana (VCG) secure an office in the United States as it is the case in the United Kingdom. This, he said, would facilitate business transactions for Public Universities in Ghana. The Vice Chancellor, particularly, stressed the need to scout for investors who are ready to invest in educational infrastructure in Ghanaian universities.
The delegation from UCC and Staff of the Ghana Embassy of the USA
Her Excellency, Hajia Alima Mahama, on her part expressed her gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for the visit and pledged to support UCC in diverse ways including connection with strategic partners and institutions.
Prof. Nyarko Boampong presented some souvenirs of UCC to the Ambassador.
Her Excellency, Hajia Alima Mahama with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong.
Source: Office of International Relations (OIR-UCC)/DIS-UCC