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Former UK Foreign Minister, Sir Hugo Swire pays courtesy call on Vice-Chancellor Okoe Amartey 

Former UK Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Sir Hugo Swire, has paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof Abednego F. O. Amartey.

The two leaders on Tuesday, November 22, held a closed-door meeting focused on establishing a bilateral relationship between UPSA and Commonwealth universities in areas such as joint-research, student exchange and faculty mentorship programs.

Lord Swire, who is currently the Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), commended the Management of UPSA for its deliberate efforts to position the University as a centre of academic excellence that is nationally entrenched, regionally relevant, and globally recognised.

Lord Swire, the former Conservative Member of Parliament for East Devon, said universities around the world are excitedly working towards innovative programmes that are geared towards bridging the knowledge gap between academia and industry.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abednego F. O. Amartey,  interacting with Lord Hugo Swire at his office. 

He stressed that this new focus was essential if countries like Ghana are to make headway in meeting their developmental goals. 

Prof. Amartey welcomed the partnership opportunities, saying, “UPSA is associated with a culture of innovation and industry connectedness, and we are excited to announce that you have come to the right institution and at the right time.”

He noted that with the growing physical and technological infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing student population, UPSA is committed to churning out exceptional programs that “promote social mobility and prepare students for professional success.”

He added that UPSA is looking forward to partnerships through CWEIC with the view to providing opportunities within the scope of student employability, apprenticeship Degrees, Industry Partnerships, Research Centres and Global work experience schemes.

Prof Amartey used the occasion to congratulate Lord Swire on his new role with the CWEIC and encouraged him to use his position to promote and facilitate not only trade and investment opportunities amongst Commonwealth member States but also academic synergies. 

CWEIC is a commercial, not-for-profit membership organisation with an official mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to facilitate trade and investment throughout the 56 Commonwealth member nations. 

Lord Swire was accompanied by Mr Ben Gomado-Cobblah, the Country Director of CWEIC and Mr John Appea, Head of Mission. Also present at the meeting was Ms. Ivy Heward-Mills, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at UPSA.

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