In a new development that furthers its commitment to advancing the internationalization of higher education as outlined in its Action Plan for Africa, the University of Ottawa has signed two partnership agreements with two African institutions to spur cooperation in the areas of education, research, and other activities that they deem mutually beneficial.
Speaking about the development, Prof Sanni Yaya, Vice-President, International and Francophonie, in his remarks to an audience that packed the Camille Villeneuve room of the Desmarais Building, said: “we have striven to deliver quality education in our more than 175 years of experience, which has been achieved thanks to outstanding faculty, solid infrastructure and a model of educational excellence, but also to a comprehensive internationalization process that allow us to expand our global network and work with others to solve shared problems and build a brighter future.”
The University of Ottawa is pleased to take this important step, which formalizes an existing and productive relationship, and provides new opportunities to strengthen cooperative relations in the areas of education, research, and other academic activities.
Specifically, under these agreements, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat will offer scholarships to outstanding Ghanaian students who will pursue graduate studies at the University of Ottawa.
As an extra-ministerial organisation under the Ghana Office of the President, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat was created in 1960 with the responsibility of managing all Ghana government scholarships. The Secretariat seeks to increase collaboration with Canada, in addition to its current partners in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.
The second agreement sets the framework for collaboration between the University of Ottawa and the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences Global Network (AIMS) to strengthen capacity in mathematics and science for human capital development in Africa.
Founded in 2003, AIMS has grown throughout Africa, with five centres of excellence located in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda. Since establishing its first centre in Muizenberg, South Africa, AIMS has grown to become Africa's largest STEM teaching, learning, and research network.
The signing ceremony was attended by ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats from Africa, as well as the University of Ottawa’s executive, academic, and administrative staff. The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat was represented by its Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, while AIMS was represented by AIMS-Ghana President, Prince Koree Osei, as well as AIMS Global Network CEO, Lydie Hakizimana.