The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) are expected to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), following a meeting between officials from both institutions in the GEPA conference room. The visit to GEPA was led by the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, accompanied by five others. The UESD team was received by the Director of Projects at GEPA, Mr. Alexander Dadzawa.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the two organisations can establish a strategic partnership in areas related to international student recruitment and participation in global fairs within the educational services sector.
Mr. Dadzawa stated that, given the specialised nature of the programmes offered at UESD, marketing the university on the international stage would be highly beneficial. He highlighted that the areas covered by UESD’s programmes, such as climate change, sustainable development, and energy sustainability, are central to global discussions and would likely resonate well internationally. He concluded by pledging GEPA’s readiness to fully collaborate with the University in all aspects for mutual benefit.
The Registrar, Mrs Agyepong expressed her gratitude to GEPA for the opportunity. She explained that the primary purpose of the meeting was to formalise the informal relationship that had begun between the two institutions.She noted that a quick review of the institutions’ activities reveals significant areas for collaboration that can help UESD achieve Thrust Six (6) of its 5-year Strategic Plan, which focuses on creating an international faculty, staff, and student body to enhance the University’s global presence. She added that by collaborating in student recruitment, funding opportunities, student internships, and data sharing, the university would be better positioned to achieve its goals.
The Acting Dean of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES), Dr. Shine Gbedemah, also shared the University’s intention to establish a sustainability certification scheme that will provide product certification and ratings to manufacturers and exporters. He explained that the certification would be awarded based on the manufacturers’ or exporters’ adherence to sustainability protocols.
In response, the Head of Trade in Services Export, Mr. Z.A.K. Banda, mentioned that beyond the areas of collaboration already discussed, UESD could also consider participating in some of GEPA’s existing projects. These include the Youth and Gender programmes, the GEPA Export School, and the Youth in Export Programme. He explained that the Youth in Export Programme offers students six months of training, after which the authority helps them establish their businesses. He also revealed that GEPA plans to increase the number of trainees selected each year. Mr. Banda encouraged students to take advantage of these youth-focused projects, as they have the potential to teach self-reliance and help reduce graduate unemployment.
Other members of the UESD team were: Dr. Hammond Oppong Kwarteng, Deputy Registrar; Mr. Baffour Awuah Kwabi, Finance Director; Ms. Mavis Kissi, Ag. Head of International Education Office and Ms. Barbara M. Yakubu, Head of University Relations. The GEPA team included Dr. Martin Akogti, Director in charge of research; Ms. Joyce Owusu Kwarteng, Trade Promotion Officer; and Mr. Abdul Jabar Adam, Assistant Export Development Officer.