BRIEF REPORT OF STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY SRC DELEGATION VISIT

 The University of Ghana International Programmes Office (IPO) hosted a delegation from Stellenbosch University the past week from 16^th to 21^st September 2018. The delegation comprised of five (5) SRC executives and two (2) international office staff of the university.

The delegation was here to learn about the vision and values of the University of Ghana (UG), visit a research development department or faculty with focus on agriculture, learn about social impact projects of the university and surrounding communities, visit and discuss about living structures of students on campus, form links between the students of Ghana and South Africa

They were also keen on learning about student governance structures and how student leaders influence the decisions of top management of higher institutions and the educational sector, in Ghana as a whole.

The delegation also expressed interest in learning about the role students and the youth play in Ghanaian politics and nation building, business innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana and to gain understanding about the bilateral ties between South African and Ghanaian higher education landscape.

On Monday, 17^th September they met with staff of the office of the Dean, International Programmes. The Assistant Registrar then briefed them about the history of the university and the mandate of IPO.

The delegation spent quality time in meetings with the Office Dean of Student Affairs; Prof. Godfred Bokpin, the Dean of Business School, Prof. Joshua Abor and the Internationalization team of UGBS, led by Dr. Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah. The Dean of Business School happens to be an alumnus and visiting professor of Stellenbosch University.

The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Prof. Kwame Offei. He expressed his delight at the initiative from the student leadership of Stellenbosch University and intimated that it would be a good idea to work with the student leaders at UG to implement a similar programme. He took the delegation through the transition UG has experienced over the past few years and the strong support his office offers to students. He informed the group about the governance structure of UG and student representation and involvement at various levels. He also acknowledged that the long-lasting relationship between UG and Stellenbosch has been very fruitful in a number of areas.

The delegation was hosted to a buffet lunch by the Dean of IPO. Administrative staff of the office were also joined by some international student peer partners for the lunch, to interact with the visitors. The delegation held a meeting with National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) after the lunch to learn about regulation of higher education in Ghana. The official also answered questions on accreditation of higher institutions in Ghana. A campus tour of UG including students and staff residential facilities ended the day.

 

A group picture of the delegation with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (ASA) after the courtesy call.

 The main highlight of the visit was a meeting between the delegation and UG GRASAG and SRC Executives.  The deliberations were very productive, with both sides sharing their successes and projections. The president of the SRC, Mr. Sylvester Amoako stressed how the SRC scholarship scheme has helped many students to pay their academic user facility fees. In the conversation, there were contributions and questions from both sides. The meeting ended with both parties, calling for future collaborations, which may enable the student leadership of UG to embark on a leadership exchange with Stellenbosch University.

 

Picture shows deliberations ongoing in the conference room of IPO between student leaders of both universities

There was another meeting with the Dean of School of Agriculture, Prof. Sarpong who enumerated the various constituents of the school and stated some of the commercial wings of the School of Agriculture. He further explained the tremendous contributions by the agriculture sector to Ghana’s economy. Other visits and meetings by the group were to the South African High Commission in Accra, Parliament House, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) secretariat and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Museum.

The delegation, with the help of IPO staff, toured Cape Coast and Elmina Castles and the Kakum National Park. The delegation was particularly impressed with all the meetings they had and expressed their profound gratitude to the International Programmes Office and University of Ghana for such an experience. 

A group picture with Staff of IPO

Compiled by: Office of the Dean (International Programmes Office)