The Italian Ambassador to Ghana and Togo, Daniela d’Orlandi has disclosed that discussions are underway for the University of Professional Studies, Accra to start teaching Italian as part of its foreign language programmes. This, according to the Ambassador is to foster cross-cultural co-operation between Ghanaians and Italians.
She said the Italian government is also looking forward to working together with the University in the fields of education, training and youth empowerment through students and faculty exchange programmes.
Her Excellency Daniela d’Orlandi made these known when she paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof. Abednego F. O. Amartey at his office on Friday, April 23. She was accompanied by Ms. Alessandra Oliva, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Accra.
The visit, organised by the Centre for International Education and Collaboration (CIEC), was aimed at deepening ties between UPSA and the Italian embassy, while exploring collaborative opportunities of mutual benefit.
“Italy supports vocational training including the construction of centres of excellence in Ghana,” Madam d’Orlandi said. We also look for joint research between UPSA and Italian universities,” .
Prof Amartey, in welcoming the Ambassador, expressed his gratitude for the all-important visit. He mentioned that the UPSA and the Italian embassy have enjoyed a cordial relationship over the past few years and he hoped the relationship will be taken a notch higher.
The meeting offered an opportunity for the two leaders to deliberate among other things on the success of the MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme, which is jointly run by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Italy.
Throwing more light on the purpose of the visit, the Director of CIEC, Professor Abigail Opoku Mensah indicated that the visit was a reciprocal gesture by the embassy after a delegation from the UPSA paid a similar visit to the Italian Embassy in Accra on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
She said the two institutions have had fruitful discussions over the two-tier meetings on possible collaborative opportunities with educational institutions especially universities in Italy.
Also present at the meeting were Professor Abigail Opoku Mensah, Director, CIEC, Mrs. Aba Lokko, Director, Public Affairs Directorate and Mrs. Eunice Ahiabor, Assistant Registrar, CIEC.
