Prof. Chris Gordon, Chairman of the Institutional Steering Committee (UGISC) for the Review of Internationalization Strategies and Processes presenting the report to Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey. Looking on are Dr. Richard Asante, a member of the Committee (Right) and Mrs. Lydia Nyako-Danquah, Secretary to the committee.
The University of Ghana Institutional Steering Committee (UGISC) for the Review of Internationalization Strategies and Processes has presented a report on its review of internationalization at the University of Ghana to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey.
The 52-page report, with some annexes is titled, “Self-Assessment on Internationalization”.
Prof. Aryeetey thanked the Members of the Committee for compiling the report and presenting it promptly. He promised that the document will be used to inform Senior Management in its deliberations and for policy making.
The steering committee was inaugurated on February 2, 2015 to conduct a review of the University’s internationalization policies and activities with the support of a four-member Expert Panel from the Internationalization Strategies Advisory Service (ISAS) of the International Association of Universities (IAU).
The Committee chaired by Prof. Chris Gordon, Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, worked over a three-month period to produce the Report. Information contained in the report was derived from deliberations from a series of eight meetings held by the Committee, various questionnaires administered to 10 groups of internal stakeholders of the University with approximately 1000 responses received for the Survey as well as consultations with external stakeholders at a workshop organised by the Committee.
Additionally, information from meetings of the Expert Panel with selected stakeholders, the workshop on Internationalization held in collaboration with University of Cape-Coast, preliminary recommendations made by the Expert Panel from observations made and Inputs from some sections of the University was also included.
The report identifies the main areas within which the University of Ghana can improve internationalization. These are through systems (including financing
), staff experience and mobility, student experience and mobility, international research needs, teaching to international standards, and attitudes and perceptions. Recommendations for further action based on inputs from all categories of staff and students have been made within these areas.
One fact highlighted in the report was the need for a standing budget for the Office of International Programmes for outreach to enable the office proactively recruit students in the face of increasing global competition.
Another point raised was poor attitudes and perceptions of Ghanaian students and staff towards international students and vice-versa. There was need for training and fora to air views of all concerned.
The differential in pricing for housing for local versus international persons on campus was a big concern raised and rationalization of the rents was recommended.
The report called for more attention to be placed on staff mobility. It suggests that international travel should be directed in a way to encourage interaction and increase exposure. In this regard, the Vice-Chancellor expressed the wish to see more Faculty present seminars and spend a term or more teaching at International Universities. With regard to funding for research, it was noted that with the support of ORID, the situation had improved vastly. It was however important for faculty to be fully aware of the opportunities available to access them.