TWO UNIVERSITIES EXPLORE AREAS FOR PARTNERSHIP (PAGE 23, MAR 28, 2011)

AUTHORITIES of the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Electronic Science and Technology, China (UESTC) have held talks to explore ways of establishing a viable partnership between the two institutions.
The discussions took place in Tamale at the UDS administrative block following the visit to the UDS by a six-member delegation from the UESTC, led by its president, Mr Wang Jin Song.
Some of the possible areas of co-operation that were considered were the establishment of staff and student exchange programmes, as well capacity building in the area of Information Communication and Technology.
The UESTC also pledged to offer some scholarships to some students and staff from the UDS to study in that university, which is situated in Chengdu, China.
Mr Jin Song said this was the first time that members of the delegation were in Africa and that Ghana had been chosen as their first destination due to its international repute.
He said Ghanaians studying in China had also helped in enhancing the image of the country by distinguishing themselves in all areas of study.
Mr Jing Song expressed hope of establishing a fruitful relationship with the UDS which would be mutually beneficial to both institutions.
The VC of the UDS, Prof Yakubu Haruna, who led the UDS team in the discussions, noted that it was very important for institutions across the world to establish partnerships to help further their mandates and extend their coverage.
He said the UDS, having emerged from humble beginnings, had the plan to establish relationships with universities all over the world that placed premium on practically-oriented training.
“Our desire has always been to remain a leader in producing well-baked graduates who are practically and academically proficient to meet the needs of the market,” the VC explained.
He mentioned the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) as the university’s flagship programme that is used to meet the objective of providing the practical aspect of the training.
The UESTC, which is one of China’s leading science and technology institutions, already has an existing partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Koforidua Polytechnic.