(From left to right: Prof. Samuel Agyei–Mensah, His Excellency Jorge Alvarez Fuentes, Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre, and Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu)
Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre, Mexican Ambassador to Ghana and His Excellency Jorge Alvarez Fuentes, Director-General for Africa and the Middle East of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations of Mexico, called on the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, to discuss strategic ways to strengthen collaborations between University of Ghana and educational institutions in Mexico.
In brief remarks, Prof. Samuel Agyei–Mensah, Provost of the College of Humanities expressed his profound appreciation to Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre for the warm reception he and his cohorts received during their visit to Mexico. He noted that the University has signed four (4) Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with some universities namely Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Instituto Technológicoy de Estudious Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), and University of Colima. He applauded the Vice-Chancellor for being instrumental in expanding the borders of the University beyond Europe and America to Asia and Latin America.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oduro Owusu welcomed the guests to the University, he confirmed the signing of the MOUs with the Mexican universities stating that the common areas of interest will be specified so as to establish effective student and faculty exchange.
Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre was delighted that through the University of Ghana, the partnership between Ghana and Mexico has been enhanced. Commenting on the agricultural sector, she indicated that agricultural studies is a very crucial area since it is of great importance to the government of Ghana, adding that more attention needs to be paid to the agricultural sector in order to improve it. She expressed worry over the fact that, foreign companies come to set up with expatriate staff which to her was very costly. She explained that Ghanaian students could go on exchange programmes in Mexico to acquire skills which can improve their efficiency to work with global businesses. She indicated that Ghana will receive scholarships each year to support students improve on their skills in improving the agricultural sector.
Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre encouraged the University to develop and equip the Spanish students so they could take up lectureship as it was more beneficial to do so rather than use foreign lecturers. She also advised students to take advantage of scholarship programmes offered by Mexico.
His Excellency Jorge Alvarez Fuentes expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome by the University as well as the University’s agreement to collaborate with educational institutions in Mexico. He mentioned that he was on a mission to carry out an assessment of the following area: Political Dialogue, Bilateral Relations and Educational Collaborations between Ghana and Mexico. He congratulated the University on the institution of Latin American Studies in the University’s programmes and was delighted to know that the University has signed MOUs with some Universities in Mexico. He advised the Universities involved to identify key areas of interest so as to ensure its effectiveness. He pledged the support of the embassy and the Foreign Ministry in Mexico in this regard.
His Excellency Alvarez Fuentes hinted that the University can kick start collaborations with UNAM as they were introducing a new programme on Asian and African Studies. He was quick to add that attention should be given to the agricultural sector, noting that Mexican investors are willing to invest in Ghana to help improve the sector.
The Vice-Chancellor made presentations to His Excellency Jorge Alvarez Fuentes and Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre.
The Vice Chancellor presenting gifts to His Excellency Jorge Alvarez Fuentes
The Vice Chancellor presenting gifts to Her Excellency Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre
