In a bid to enhance academic excellence and foster global partnerships, the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has initiated talks with the University of Northampton (UON) in the United Kingdom for academic collaborations.
This follows a one-day visit by a delegation from UPSA to the Waterside campus on Friday, September 22.
The trip formed part of a one-week educational tour and capacity-building programme organised by the management of UPSA to sharpen the professional skills of its staff.
Director of Administration and head of the UPSA delegation, Mrs Lorraine Gyan, pointed out that the meeting was to explore the potential for joint research undertakings, faculty and student exchange, as well as joint delivery of academic programmes and courses.
Mrs Gyan further explained that by pooling resources and curricula, UPSA and Northampton University can develop specialised joint programmes that cater to the evolving needs of students.
“These programmes would be designed to equip students with comprehensive skills to thrive in today’s competitive job market while encompassing a broader perspective through a multidisciplinary approach,” Mrs Gyan said.
On her part, the Assistant Director of International Relations at UON, Caroline Mayes, welcomed the UPSA entourage and expressed her interest in the UPSA-UON collaborations.
She noted that Northamptom University is renowned for its expertise in the fields of science, technology, and the humanities, while UPSA is globally recognised for its business-related offerings and professional certificate education.
Ms Mayes therefore believes that by combining the synergies and expertise of the two universities, the intended collaboration will push the boundaries of knowledge and address global challenges through innovative research.
During the extensive discussions, faculty members and senior administrators from UPSA and UON also explored partnerships in emerging areas such as sustainable development, social work, e-sports, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, among others.
The talks ended on a positive note, with both UPSA and Northampton University expressing their enthusiasm and commitment towards formalising the collaboration in the near future.
Once finalised, this partnership between two leading universities is expected to have a profound impact on the academic landscape, fostering innovation and contributing to the advancement of knowledge.
Present at the meeting for UPSA were Dr Mrs Mary Essiaw, Director of IWES; Mrs Duchess Nartekie Hinson, Facility Manager, BDC; Mr Emmanuel Freeman Kwade, Senior Media Assistant; Mr Kenneth Yelibo, Chief Administrative Assistant, Quality Assurance Department; Miss Aba Quayson, Principal Administrative Assistant, Office of the Vice-Chancellor; and Miss Victoria Lovi, Principal Administrative Assistant, Legal Directorate.
Also in attendance for UON were Dr Cathy Smith, Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange; Prof Amin Hosseinian-Far, Department of Business Systems and Operations; Matthew Haines, Director of Global Engagement; Prof. Sian Davies-Vollum, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts; and Dr Anthony Nwigwe, International Officer for Sub-Sahara.
