His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana
The Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has opened the second edition of the Times Higher Education Africa Universities Summit (THE-AUS) at the University of Ghana. The two day summit which has brought together delegates from various Universities across Africa, is on the theme, "Globalisation and Policy Directions for African Higher Education".
The 2016 African Universities Summit, an initiative of the Times Higher Education, in partnership with the University of Ghana is expected to deliberate on topics such as, ‘Public and Private - Are Both Essential to a Strong University Sector in Africa?’, ‘South-South and North-South Relationships: Two different Approaches’, ‘Capacity Building And Building Capacity - How To Educate Africa's Youth’ , ‘Financing of African Higher Education’ and ‘Managing Brain Drain, Brain Gain and Brain Circulation’.
His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, expressed excitement that the University of Ghana, had been chosen to host the summit. This he said was indicative of the University's continuous demonstration of leadership in higher education in the country and as a typical African-funded University, not by the bequest of millionaires but from the modest contributions of Ghanaian farmers who saw the value of higher education.
The Vice-President paid glowing tribute to the University for its contribution to national development. He said it was therefore not surprising that the University of Ghana is recognised in World University rankings, especially in the recent Times Higher Education Africa Universities rankings where the University of Ghana is ranked 7th in Africa, the topmost in West Africa and at the national level. While congratulating the University for achieving this feat, he stressed on the high expectations on the University to do even more, recalling the motto of Legon Hall, the premier student residence at the University, which happens to be his former hall of residence, which is “Cui Multum Datum”, meaning “To whom much is given much is expected”.
Speaking on the theme for the summit, His Excellency Amissah-Arthur said the new policy direction is for African universities to accelerate the pace in charting their own identity, to innovate, to reorient themselves to meet the socio-economic and political developmental needs of the times. He observed that the University of Ghana is attempting to pursue this agenda and reposition itself as a research-intensive University, an idea the Government of Ghana endorses.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey delivering the keynote address
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, who delivered the keynote address noted that higher education globalization has taken the form of massive export and import of higher education services. This he noted has been through the establishment of Multinational Universities, creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), franchising, and importation of large numbers of international students.
On how globalization affects Universities in Africa, Prof. Aryeetey stated that African higher education institutions have suffered from several challenges for over five decades, largely of a structural nature. He said the capacity to take advantage of the opportunities created by globalization is limited and that African higher education institutions face new risks such as competition for students, staff and resources. The general response from African universities, he said, has been to internationalize. Prof. Aryeetey shared the University of Ghana’s internationalization strategy, which includes partnerships at the university at the level of the various schools, as well as academic and administrative staff development, and international student recruitment drive.
While calling on governments to support the internationalization drive of Universities, he also stressed on the need for these institutions to develop clear policies on internationalization, and research and teaching collaboration with institutions within and outside Africa.
Phil Baty, Editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Ihron Rensburg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg
Other speakers at the opening ceremony were Phil Bay, Editor, THE, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Ihron Rensburg, founding partners.
Sessions at the summit include keynote speeches, panel discussions and also question and answer segments during which the delegates engage the discussants.
From right, Phil Baty, Editor, THE, Ihron Rensburg, Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg, Vice-President, H.E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur , Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Mr. Paul Effah, President of Radford University College and Gerald Wangenge-Ouma, Director of Institutional Planning, University of Pretoria.
A section of delegates and guests seated at the opening ceremony
From Left - Hanne Adriansen, Associate Professor, Aarhus University, (Lead Chair), Olusola Oyewole, President of Association of African Universities, Kevin Andrews, Chief Academic Office, UNICAF, Samuel Nii Odai, Pro-Vice Chancellor, KNUST in a panel debate
From Left - Prof. Naa Ayikailey Adamafio (Lead Chair) and Prof. Kenneth King, Emeritus Professor, Edinburgh University in one of the panel debates
Delegates contributing to discussions during panel debates
