The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), through its Centre for International Education and Collaboration (CIEC), has welcomed a two-member delegation from EKA University of Applied Sciences in Latvia.
The visit on Monday, February 3, formed part of the Erasmus+ KA171 mobility initiative aimed at fostering academic partnerships and international collaboration.
The EKA University delegation, comprising Professor Jelena Titko and Professor Tatjana Tambovceva, engaged the UPSA management on potential areas of collaboration.
Professor Tambovceva outlined key opportunities, including joint research initiatives, faculty exchanges, student mobility programs, joint conferences, and workshops that the two institutions can explore.
She further expressed EKA’s openness to joint grant applications and guest lecture opportunities, which both universities can undertake in the future for mutual benefit.
Welcoming the delegation, Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John K. M. Mawutor, emphasised that the proposed areas of collaboration align with UPSA’s internationalisation agenda.
He expressed optimism that the partnership would be formalised and operationalised promptly so that students and faculty can begin to benefit from the shared resources, expertise, and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, ultimately enhancing the global standing of both institutions.
“I am particularly interested in the joint-research proposal,” Prof Mawutor stated. “This is something that will help our faculty as we aim to enhance UPSA’s relevance and impact.”
The Registrar of UPSA, Mrs. Lorraine Gyan, also expressed the university’s readiness to partner with EKA University for the mutual benefit of both institutions.
She highlighted the significance of the collaboration in advancing UPSA’s vision of global engagement.
Director of CIEC, Ms. Ivy Heward-Mills, noted that the visit is a testament to UPSA’s commitment to building international collaborations that enhance teaching, research, and knowledge exchange.
“It also marks a significant step toward deepening academic ties between UPSA and EKA University,” she added, stressing that both institutions would benefit from shared knowledge and collaborative projects.
As part of their visit, the EKA delegation toured the UPSA campus and held private meetings with deans and senior faculty members.
Present at the meeting were Prof. Samuel Antwi, Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer; Prof. George Agbemabiese, Ag. Dean of the School of Graduate Studies; Dr. Ernest Mensah Abraham, Ag. Dean of Management Studies; Dr. Godfred Yaw Koi-Akrofi, Ag. Dean of the Faculty of IT and Communication Studies; Mrs. Aba Lokko, Director of Public Affairs; and Dr. Edward Attah Botchwey, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance.
