The University of Cape Coast and Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), USA, have resolved to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions.
The institutions had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate to advance the cause of both institutions.
This came to light when a delegation from Morehouse School of Medicine paid courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong at the Council Chamber, Emmanuel Adow Obeng Central Administration.
Presentation of UCC paraphernalia to the MSM team
At the meeting, the Director of Biomedical Informatics Program of MSM, Prof. Alexander Quarshie, noted that the visit was a follow up on the MoU the two institutions signed to collaborate in the areas of staff and students’ exchanges, joint research as well as sharing of expertise.
Prof. Bonney indicated that faculty of MSM would work with its colleagues at UCC to work towards write for grants to undertake joint research projects.
Prof. Alexander Quarshie
He was optimistic that the collaboration would yield fruits that would be beneficial to the two institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, who received the team, was grateful for the visit and noted that UCC was open for global collaborations. “We continue to receive numerous requests from highly reputable academic and research institutions for collaboration as a result of our status as the number one university in Ghana, West Africa and seventh in Africa,” he noted.
Prof. Boampong gave the indicated that UCC was well positioned to partner with MSM to achieve the objectives of the MoU. “We have a good reputation when it comes to our partnerships. We continue to engage with our partners to achieve the aims and objectives of our collaborations” he added.
Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong
The Vice-Chancellor said the University had plans to establish a Centre for Transatlantic Slave Trade which would undertake interdisciplinary research into all aspects of slavery. “This Centre will look into all facets of slavery from the historical, social, cultural and scientific/medical perspectives,” he explained.
Commenting on the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, the Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at UCC, expressed optimism about the collaboration. He stated that the partnership would help bolster and maintain UCC's status as a leading university in Africa and globally.
Prof. Acheampong explained that the collaboration would enable the two institutions to work on joint projects in the areas of medical and allied health sciences. This, he said, would complement the clinical and research components, ultimately contributing to improving people's well-being.
Prof. Desmond Omane-Acheampong
Furthermore, the Dean announced that the School had commenced processes to establish a Prevention Research Centre.
In that regard, the School had engaged Dr. Rosanna Barret, who also heads a similar centre at MSM, to provide assistance. Prof. Acheampong noted that the new centre would focus on addressing the spread of diseases through rigorous research.
Other members of the delegation from MSM were Senior Advisor for Global Health Equity, Prof. Barney Graham and Chair, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Prof. Jonathan Stiles.
The UCC team present at the meeting were the Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan; Provost College of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Martins Ekor.
Others were the Head, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Prof. (Mrs.) Christiana Naa Atsreh Nsiah-Asamoah; Head, Department of Health Information Management, Dr. Richard Okyere Boadu; Head, Department of Imaging and Sonography Technology, Dr. Ishmael Ofori; Head, Department of Sports and Exercise Science, Dr. George Ghartey-Kwansah and Head, Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Pharmacy Practice, Dr. Robert Peter Biney.