As part of efforts to drive academic and social transformation across the African continent, the University of Cape Coast, and the Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a far-reaching partnership.

The signing of the MoU is premised on the foundation of working together on areas of scholarly convergence, sharing of expertise for a prosperous Africa and a better and equal world for humanity.

Exchange of the signed MoU

The MoU outlines an all-encompassing agenda for collaboration between the two institutions, with the overarching goal of leveraging their collective expertise and resources to positively impact communities throughout Africa and beyond. The scope of the MoU covers student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research projects and publications, sharing of academic resources and best practices, collaborative development of degree and non-degree programmes and organisation of joint conferences, workshops and seminars.

The areas for the collaboration are in the areas of marine and coastal management, ocean sciences, student entrepreneurship and employability, biotechnology and pandemic studies, environmental health, African studies and African languages, digital humanities and university studies.

The NMU delegation with officials of UCC

At the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, signed the MoU on behalf of UCC while the Vice-Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University Prof. Sibongile Muthwa signed on behalf of NMU.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Prof. Muthwa noted that the historic collaboration would serve as a key learning processes to open new pathways of collaboration. “We consider this relationship with UCC very key   in our learning processes to co-construct stronger, better and more substantive and formalised collaborations with higher education institutions in Ghana” she noted.

 Vice-Chancellor of NMW, Prof. Sibongile Muthwa

Giving the background of NMU, Prof. Muthwa indicated that the vision of her University was to become a dynamic African University with recognition for its leadership in generating cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future. “We regard ourselves as a socially embedded university in service of society” she said.

She indicated that even before the signing of the MoU at the university-wide level, faculty of NMU had been engaging with colleagues from UCC in the areas of marine and coastal management and ocean sciences.

On his part, Prof. Boampong expressed gratitude to Prof. Muthwa and the team from NMU for choosing UCC for the collaboration. He was hopeful that the collaboration was a step in the right direction and assured the NMU delegation that UCC would fulfil its part of the agreement to help reshape the African narrative on the global stage.

Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong

 "This agreement represents a bold step forward in our shared vision to harness the power of higher education to cause meaningful change across Africa. I am confident that working hand-in-hand, the University of Cape Coast and Nelson Mandela University will pioneer new models of collaboration that can inspire and empower communities throughout our continent and beyond."

In his submission, the Director of Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), Prof. Denis Aheto, said faculty at the Centre had been collaborating with their counterparts at NMU on marine and coastal management and ocean sciences. He said ACECoR over the years had trained about 50 Doctor of Philosophy and more than 100 masters students across the continent who were contributing in varied fields in the fisheries, marine and coastal sectors of their respective countries. “We are ever prepared to work with NMU to share knowledge, create innovation, and prepare the next generation of African leaders and problem-solvers."

Director of ACECoR, Prof. Denis Aheto

The Dean of Faculty of Arts, UCC, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, said the faculty was well placed to collaborate with NMU in the areas of culture, heritage and memory. He indicated that the faculty had now constituted a research and grants desk which he invited NMU for collaboration to engage in joint research and grants activities.

Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah

The team from NMU comprised the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Transformation, Prof. Andre Keet, Senior Director, Mandela International Office, Prof. Judy Peter; Director, Research Support and Management, Dr. Palesa Nathasha Mothapo; Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation, Dr. Jenny Bozena du Preez and Project Lead, Africa Collaboration Project, Dr. Nehemiah Solomon Latolla.

Also present at the meeting were the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame. Dean, Office of International Relations, Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi; Dr. Edward Nii Amar Amarteifio of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development; Dr. Alexander Tetteh Kwasi Nuer and Dr. Donatus Bapentire Angnuureng of ACECoR.